Law enforcement officials in two states have launched separate investigations into the killing of as many as three bald eagles.
In Indiana, authorities are investigating the shooting death of a bald eagle that was rescued alive from the side of a road last Saturday but later died from its wounds.
The federally protected bird was shot Friday near the White River in Lawrence County, about 75 miles south of Indianapolis, according to reports.
Officials didn't learn of the incident until the next day after a passer-by spotted the injured eagle and called it in.
A statement from the law enforcement division of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources said crews arrived on the scene and attempted to save the eagle but were unsuccessful.
Officials have not revealed the type of weapon that was used nor did they indicate the age of the bald eagle, which has been the national bird of the United States since 1782.
Meanwhile, wildlife agents in northwest Louisiana believe at least one bald eagle, and possibly a second, may have been killed in the Lake Claiborne area, according to The Associated Press.
A spokesman for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement division would not reveal how those eagles were injured or killed.
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It's a federal crime to kill bald eagles, which are no longer on the federal Endangered Species List but remain protected under the 1940 Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
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Killing one of the birds carries a penalty of $250,000 and up to two years in prison.
In May, wildlife officials in Maryland reported an illegal poison was used to kill seven bald eagles and one great horned owl over the previous two months.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has offered up to $10,000 for information in that case.
A small reward has also been offered for information that leads to an arrest in the Indiana case.
Tips can be given to the Indiana Conservation Officers’ Central Dispatch at 812-837-9536 or the anonymous tip line at 1-800-TIPIDNR.
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