The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking help from the public in a case involving the destruction of an active bald eagle nest in Sherman, Texas.
A reward of $1,500 is currently being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for this illegal act, according to a recent press release from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
The incident occurred in February of last year on private land on West Lamberth Road, which is now being developed for a new subdivision. According to the USFWS, a concerned local resident first alerted authorities to the presence of the nest, which was confirmed to be an active nesting site by a Texas Game Warden.
Special agents from the USFWS Office of Law Enforcement conducted a follow-up investigation and confirmed reports that the nest had been destroyed between February 15 and February 20, 2023. This human interference has raised significant concern among conservationists and local residents alike.
Bald eagles, once listed under the Endangered Species Act, were removed from the list in June 2007 due to the recovery of their population. However, they remain protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Individuals who disturb or molest the birds or interfere with their nesting, breeding, or feeding can face fines of up to $250,000 and imprisonment of up to one year.
Dubbed “America’s Bird,” bald eagles are known for their lifelong pair bonds. In Texas, bald eagles generally nest between October and July. They lay eggs during winter, which hatch in early spring.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, in late 2021, a pair was observed constructing a nest at Lake Highlands Park near White Rock Lake in Dallas, creating a buzz among local residents, bird enthusiasts, and photographers. The birds have returned to the area every year since then, and in May 2024, they successfully hatched two eaglets.
Another bald eagle, a male, has been observed residing in the Oak Point Nature Preserve in Plano since late last year, as reported by DX.
Authorities urge anyone with information about the destroyed bald eagle’s nest in Sherman to contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement in Fort Worth at (817) 334-5202 or the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Operation Game Thief hotline at (800) 792-GAME. Any tips or information can be provided anonymously.