Last week, authorities rescued a malnourished and dehydrated eaglet, the Dallas Morning News reports.
The eaglet was found in the same nest where a Houston teen shot and killed an adult bald eagle days earlier.
From the Wildlife Center of Texas: “According to the ongoing investigation by state and federal officials, one of the parents was shot and killed by an individual. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requested that the eaglet receive an examination, rehydrating fluids and evaluation by WCT’s veterinarian before it was transferred to an off-site location to be with a surrogate parent. WCT would like to remind the public that almost all birds in Texas are federally protected, and that concerns of predatory birds preying upon pets and livestock simply comes down to responsible ownership practices. Since 1782, the bald eagle has been an iconic American symbol. Although the bird has had its fair share of detractors, including Benjamin Franklin, it has proved a truly resilient bird through the centuries. Though many are now familiar with its 1960’s plight with the pesticide DDT, the bald eagle also suffered massive declines in the mid to late 1800’s. During this time people hunted waterfowl and other birds, a food source for eagles, to record lows for the fashion feather trade. While some claim the bird doesn’t deserve the title as our national symbol, the bald eagle has fought through centuries for its existence and prevailed against amazing odds; coming back from only 487 nesting pairs in 1963 to almost 10,000 pairs in 2015! The bald eagle is, in fact, a fitting symbol for the country it represents.”
Wildlife agencies started to monitor the nest after the slaying of the bird of prey. They noticed that its mate returned to the nest, indicating that fledglings may be present.
After closer observation, they also noticed that the mate was not bringing any food to the nest. Alarmed that the fledglings may be endanger, they took action and investigated the nest which was more than 100 feet off the ground.
They discovered a 5-to 6-week old eaglet that was in poor condition. It was taken to the Wildlife Center of Texas where it was fed and given fluids. It will remain there until it’s ready to be released back into the wild.
Meanwhile, 17-year-old Orlando David Delgado has been charged with a Class A misdemeanor for hunting without a landowner’s consent and a Class C misdemeanor for taking a threatened species.
Delgado confessed to shooting the eagle with a pellet rifle. He was being held at Harris County jail on a $5,000 bond.
The bald eagle is the national bird and national animal of the United States. It is protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, which prohibits commercial trapping and killing of the bird.
Why is a harris county judge presiding over a federal felony case? Get this story in front of Trump’s administration and you’ll see Federal Felony charges and a conviction.
When my boys were young teens, a neighbor friend of theirs got a pellet rifle, so they asked me for one too. My reply was, “All a pellet rifle will do is teach you all the wrong things to do with gun. I will buy you both a .22 after you complete the hunter safety course and you will only use it under supervision and keep it locked up with my firearms.” A week later, the neighbor boy shot out a neighbor’s window and his pellet rifle was taken away. Today they are both life members of the NRA, one in LE and the other USCG Master Chief.
I read the young eagle shooter got no punishment whatsoever from this incident. If I were the judge and he came before me it would be the last anything he ever shit or wanted to shoot.
The Guy that shot this Eagle needs to be Beat Down Hard and have some bones broken … What a POS!!!
Kim Ogg, the recently elected Harris County District Attorney, is an avowed leftist who’s campaign was funded by George Soros, and that’s “fact”, not speculation.
Does anyone want to guess WHY this Hispanic ‘child’ was charged with a simple misdemeanor vs the appropriate felony?
Drain the swamp! Deport him and his parents. Let’s start dumping our trash into other countries like they do to us.
There are many things I could say and probably should say bit I refrain, Let the courts do their job.
First – check his status! Is this guy or any family member an Illegal? If so, out you go!
Second – This guy needs to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law for this crime.
Third – this kid needs a good jail house beating!
The Judge needs the jail house beating and the kid!
There’s a generation of low life coming up these days… Selfish, ignorant, soul less , pathetic ..
Hang the little heathen from the nest tree and let the scavengers pick his bones.
I think the whole world understands that the bald eagle stands for America. Of course the liberals would probably rather have a pink bunny but that’s another story . Right on America I salute you and the bald eagle .that kid should have to do some community services .maybe at the zoo helping care for the eagles and other animals..
I am 40 years old and have seen my first Bald Eagle in the wild a few months ago. It was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. I sat and watched it for about 10 minutes I was so taken I didn’t think to take pictures till it flew away. I have a picture of it flying. I don’t understand how anyone could shoot this beautiful animal