JAMESTOWN, KY– A bald eagle that was discovered with a gunshot wound in a Kentucky state park will need to be humanely euthanized due to the severity of its injuries.
Bald eagles are recognized as the national bird of the United States and are a federally protected species.
The bird, which was discovered by the park’s naturalist on Monday, was securely trapped by a group of Lake Cumberland State Resort Park employees and taken to a wildlife veterinarian to be evaluated.
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Lake Cumberland State Resort Park employees carefully approach the injured eagle.
(Lake Cumberland State Resort Park / FOX Weather)
Video showed the team of park employees, in conjunction with the Lake Cumbland Wildlife Refuge Home of Liberty Nature Center, carefully approaching the injured eagle and securing it in the woods.
Lake Cumberland State Resort Park said if a full recovery had been made, the eagle would’ve been released back into the state park.
At the time, the nature of the bird’s injury appeared to be unknown.
The injured eagle is covered with a cloth and secured to be taken to a veterinarian.
(Lake Cumberland State Resort Park / FOX Weather)
On Wednesday, the state park said on social media that the eagle’s injuries were caused by a gunshot wound, and the injuries to its wing and surrounding tissues were too significant for surgery or treatment.
“Despite our hopes and the dedicated efforts of wildlife veterinarians, the injuries from a gunshot wound are too severe for recovery,” the state park said.
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A team carries the injured eagle in a cage to be evaluated.
(Lake Cumberland State Resort Park / FOX Weather)
The state park said the bird will be humanely euthanized because it would continue to live in pain and would be unable to fly.
The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act prohibits the taking or harming any bald eagle in the U.S. and is punishable by a $100,000 fine and one year in prison, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The injured bald eagle sits on a snowy embankment in Lake Cumberland State Resort Park in Kentucky.
(Lake Cumberland State Resort Park / FOX Weather)
“We know many of you have been following this eagle’s story and hoping for a miracle. We share your grief,” Lake Cumberland State Resort Park said in their post.
The state park urged anyone with information on the shooting to contact the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
