Bald eagles are the national bird in the U.S., and have only recently recovered from being an endangered species.
They are federally protected - meaning it is illegal to kill them.But that didn't stop someone in the southern state of Louisiana from
shooting and mortally wounding one of these majestic birds.
Sign the petition to demand authorities continue investigating until they discover the perpetrator!In early December 2025, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries learned about a bald eagle who was injured and struggling in a rural area of the state. They found the wounded bird and rushed it to veterinary services. But unfortunately, experts determined that the bird was suffering from
a gunshot wound that was so severe, it wouldn't survive. And indeed, the innocent animal
died shortly after.Bald eagles are vitally important to the ecosystems around them. They help maintain
checks and balances in the food chain, which even
protects the local plants as a result. Not only are they a skilled top predator, helping to regulate the populations of smaller animals that quickly reproduce - but they're also scavengers. This means they help
prevent infections and diseases from spreading, and contribute to recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
For a long time, humans didn't care much about these birds' importance. In fact, in 1970, researchers were only aware of
5 breeding pairs in the whole state. Now, there are upwards of 350 pairs that call Louisiana home throughout the year. The U.S. federal government eventually removed them from the list of endangered species in 1995. Yet these animals still face
significant threats to their survival, including habitat loss, poisoning, and entanglement with fishing lines.
We have to make it clear that attacking wildlife is unacceptable and will come with consequences. Louisiana officials are still not sure who killed this innocent eagle - and we have to make sure they continue investigating until they find the person responsible! Sign the petition!