Bald Eagle Discovered With Gunshot Wound To Be Euthanized

A bald eagle found suffering from a gunshot wound at a state park in Kentucky will have to be humanely euthanized because of the severity of its injuries.

The bald eagle holds the distinction of being the United States’ national bird and is a species that’s federally protected.

Park staff discovered the injured bird Monday. Employees from Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, working together with the Lake Cumberland Wildlife Refuge Home of Liberty Nature Center, safely captured the eagle and transported it to a wildlife veterinarian for assessment. (RELATED: Deep Freeze To Grip Northeast With Life-Threatening, Coldest Weekend Of Winter; Could Trigger Rarely-Seen Warnings)

Video footage captured the careful teamwork as park personnel approached the wounded eagle and gently secured it for transport.

According to Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, if the bird had been able to make a full recovery, it would have been released back into the park’s natural habitat.

The exact cause and extent of the eagle’s injuries were seemingly not known at the time of the rescue.

#KyStateParks is following the story of an injured bald eagle found at Lake Cumberland SRP. Liberty Nature Center confirmed the eagle suffered a gunshot wound and will be humanely euthanized. Incidents involving protected species may involve state and federal authorities. pic.twitter.com/aJVGYrLD0I

— KentuckyStateParks (@KYStateParks) February 4, 2026

The state park announced via social media Wednesday that it was determined that the eagle had sustained a gunshot wound. The damage to its wing and surrounding tissues was too extensive to be treatable through surgery or any other means.

“Despite our hopes and the dedicated efforts of wildlife veterinarians, the injuries from a gunshot wound are too severe for recovery,” said the state park.

The state park announced that the injured bald eagle will be humanely euthanized, because if not, it would suffer in pain for the rest of its life and would never regain the ability to fly. (RELATED: Rare Bus-Sized Phantom Jellyfish Spotted On Deep Sea Video Off Coast Of Argentina)

Under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, it is illegal to harm or take any bald eagle in the United States. Violators can receive one year in prison and a $100,000 fine, per the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“We know many of you have been following this eagle’s story and hoping for a miracle. We share your grief,” said Lake Cumberland State Resort Park in their social media post.

The state park is asking anyone with information about the shooting to get in contact with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.