Northern Wyoming News - Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years

POWELL (AP) — A Cody-area bird rescue organization has reported an increase in the number of protected birds that have been shot in recent months.

The Powell Tribune reports that Susan Ahalt with the Ironside Bird Rescue says she’s seen five protected birds suffering from bullet wounds in the last few months, compared to only a few in her 29 years of working with injured wildlife.

A bald eagle found in January near Riverton was the most recent protected bird brought in with a gunshot wound. Game Warden Brad Gibb says it survived several days after being shot. State and federal wildlife officials are investigating the animal’s death.

Bald eagles are protected by state and federal law. Those charged with killing the animals face jail time and thousands of dollars in fines.