The Maine Warden Service is investigating the illegal shootings of a moose and bald eagle in different locations, and they are asking the public for help.
The moose was killed in Township 13, Range 11 WELS in northern Aroostook County, and the eagle, which was injured, was found in Mattawamkeag in Penobscot County, according to Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
The body of the moose was found covered with tree tops and branches to hide it, officials announced Friday on the IFW Facebook page.
It was apparently shot in a clear cut near mile 36 on the Rocky Brook Road the week of Sept. 26 and left there. It was found off an unnamed road that intersected with the Rocky Brook Road, according to the IFW.
Game wardens were also called to the Wilderness Park Road in Mattawamkeag on Monday to help an eagle that was injured and unable to fly near the Mattawamkeag River, according to Mark Latti, spokesman for IFW. Wardens caught the eagle and brought it to a rehabilitation facility. X-rays confirmed there were shotgun pellets in its body.
A reward of $4,500 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for shooting the eagle, and $3,000 is offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the moose shooting, according to the Maine Warden Service.
Anyone with information should call Operation Game Thief at 1-800-ALERT-US.
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