Law enforcement from the Division of Fish and Wildlife are currently investigating the deaths of five bald eagles in Sussex County.
Five birds died near Dagsboro last weekend. The Tri-State Bird Rescue failed to resuscitate three of the eagles, which were found among a group of disoriented eagles in a farm field in Piney Neck on Saturday. The fourth was found a mile away and the fifth was found on Sunday.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is also assisting with the investigation. Capt. Douglas Messeck oversees environmental crimes in Sussex County.
"Basically on our initial call, it was described that the animals [were] acting disoriented out in the field, meaning they were just stumbling around, unable to fly," said Messeck. "As of this time, the cause of death is unknown and all avenues are being investigated. Details will follow once the lab results returned and determine a cause of death.”
Five birds were transported to the Tri-Bird Rescue in Newark, but three did not survive. Lab results will be released in a week.
The Natural Resources Police are asking for members of the Dagsboro community to report any sightings of sick eagles. And anyone who comes across sick or injured eagles should keep their distance to avoid hurting the birds in any way.
Though bald eagles were delisted from the Endangered Species Act in 2007 -- they still receive special protection from the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Act. Felony killing of a bald eagle results a fine of $250,000 or two years in prison.
Last month, 13 bald eagles were found near Federalsburg, Maryland. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined that these birds did not die from natural causes. A $25,000 reward will be given to anyone who can lead to the person or group of people who killed the birds that were found in Maryland.