Bald eagles found dead on Maryland’s Upper Shore again
CORDOVA, Md. – Officials are once again finding several bald eagles dead or injured in the Upper Shore of Maryland.
Within the span of just a few months, wildlife officials have responded to two different areas in Kent and Talbot county for poisoned eagles.
And investigators say to get answers they are now offering a $10,000 reward.
“With the eagles making such a great comeback it’s such a shame to see this happening,” exclaims Lt. Roy Rafters of Maryland Natural Resources Police.
Since March, Maryland Natural Resources Police have found 14 poisoned bald eagles in Kent and Talbot County.
“In Kent County they were a total of six dead eagles, five additional were able to be rescued, treated and released. And in Cordova there were three eagles one of which died.”
It’s an alarming number, but unfortunately not a first here on the shore.
“It seems to be reoccurring because of the fact that the poison that was found in the birds in this instance is the same poison that was found in the birds in Federalsburg.”
That poison, better known as carbofuran is a pesticide that has been banned by the EPA in all forms since 2009.
Rafters says, “Just one granular is enough to kill a bird and so it’s very, very lethal to birds and wildlife.”
It’s an outdated way people used to get rid of nuisance animals, one that isn’t necessary anymore.
“The Maryland Department of Natural Resources does have a nuisance and injured wildlife division that people can contact they can bring out trappers.”
And while officials try to piece together this investigation, locals are just hoping it all comes to an end.
“It’s a sad thing. I mean it’s our nation’s bird. It has been a reoccurring thing over a five or six year period of time ina localized area of Talbot County,” says Danny Callahan, of Hillsboro.
Joyce Paquin adds, “I hope to see that this is going to be stopped completely so these birds can come back and be as beautiful and majestic as they should be.”
Natural Resources Police is also asking the public to contact them immediately if they come across an injured bald eagle. We’re told if authorities had gotten to the birds in Kent County any later, none of them would have been able to be rescued.
The public is again encouraged to reach out to Maryland Wildlife Crimestoppers by email, call or text with information about these ongoing investigations.
They can be reached at 443-433-4112 or by email at mwc.dnr@maryland.gov.
