(Twin Cities Pioneer Press)-- Wildlife officials have offered a $2,500 dollar reward for information on the eight pairs of raptors found in Woodbury, Minnesota.
The discarded feet were found on November 12th. Four of the pairs belonged to bald eagles. All of them had their talons removed. The feet were found in the grass along a sidewalk.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services are investigating. Bald eagles and other raptors fall under federal protection; unlawful possession could carry a $100,000 dollar fine or one year in jail.
According to Twin Cities Pioneer Press, USFWS Agent Patrick Lund stated, “A lucrative commercial market exists in raptor parts. We believe the talons from the raptor feet found in Woodbury may have been used to make jewelry for commercial sale.”
If anyone has information you can report a tip at 651-778-8360. You can also contact Minnesota’s Turn in Poachers hotline at 1-800-652-9093.
Story via Deanna Weniger of Twin Cities Pioneer Press