A wildlife refuge center is desperately seeking answers after one of its prized animals went missing during a charity gala. Sammy the bald eagle, 4, lost the ability to fly when he was illegally shot in 1988. Since then, Sammy has lived a comfortable life at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge Center on Long Island. For more than 30 years, the bird led a quiet existence and quickly became the refuge center’s most popular resident. Then on July 16, as the refuge center was gearing up for its charity gala a few days away, someone sneaked in and cut a hole in Sammy’s cage and took the bird from his habitat. According to surveillance footage, the incident happened sometime between 2:15 a.m. and 4:15 a.m. The footage captured a man appearing to take a bald eagle through the parking lot, wrapped in something that resembled a blanket. Now, the wildlife refuge staff members are hurriedly trying to track down any information as to Sammy’s whereabouts. “OUR BALD EAGLE WAS TAKEN AND IS MISSING! He will be stressed and cannot survive without our care. We want him back unharmed. It is a federally protected bird and cannot survive in the wild as he has an amputated wing. Any info please call (631) 653-4771 or email info@quoguewildliferefuge.org. Please share this post.” Authorities in Suffolk County, New York, are offering at least $12,500 for anyone with information on Sammy’s location. Quogue Village Police Chief Christopher Isola said they’ve chased several leads and scoured state lines for the bald eagle but have had no luck, so far. The mystery behind who could have taken the bird is astounding considering that while Sammy lives in captivity, he’s not “tamed,” according to Marisa Nelson, program director of Quogue Wildlife Refuge. Nelson told the Washington Post that Sammy’s large talons and great strength have made it difficult for staff to handle him, let alone a complete stranger. The main concern for the wildlife refuge now, though, is Sammy’s need for his carefully chosen diet. If he’s not returned there is a chance he could suffer. “It’s terrible to worry when you don’t know what to worry about,” she said to Newsday. “We don’t know if he’s alive and well somewhere or if he’s not. We are trying to keep hope. We’re getting a lot of emotional support from the community because a lot of people cared about this bird.” Since 1782, when the bald eagle became the national emblem, possessing a bald eagle or even one of its feathers will come at a steep cost. While the bird is no longer endangered, it is still protected by federal laws. The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act lays out a $100,000 fine and one year imprisonment for those who harm or kill them.
A wildlife refuge center is desperately seeking answers after one of its prized animals went missing during a charity gala.
Sammy the bald eagle, 4, lost the ability to fly when he was illegally shot in 1988. Since then, Sammy has lived a comfortable life at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge Center on Long Island.
For more than 30 years, the bird led a quiet existence and quickly became the refuge center’s most popular resident.
Then on July 16, as the refuge center was gearing up for its charity gala a few days away, someone sneaked in and cut a hole in Sammy’s cage and took the bird from his habitat.
According to surveillance footage, the incident happened sometime between 2:15 a.m. and 4:15 a.m. The footage captured a man appearing to take a bald eagle through the parking lot, wrapped in something that resembled a blanket.
Now, the wildlife refuge staff members are hurriedly trying to track down any information as to Sammy’s whereabouts.
“OUR BALD EAGLE WAS TAKEN AND IS MISSING! He will be stressed and cannot survive without our care. We want him back unharmed. It is a federally protected bird and cannot survive in the wild as he has an amputated wing. Any info please call (631) 653-4771 or email info@quoguewildliferefuge.org. Please share this post.”
Authorities in Suffolk County, New York, are offering at least $12,500 for anyone with information on Sammy’s location. Quogue Village Police Chief Christopher Isola said they’ve chased several leads and scoured state lines for the bald eagle but have had no luck, so far.
The mystery behind who could have taken the bird is astounding considering that while Sammy lives in captivity, he’s not “tamed,” according to Marisa Nelson, program director of Quogue Wildlife Refuge.
Nelson told the Washington Post that Sammy’s large talons and great strength have made it difficult for staff to handle him, let alone a complete stranger. The main concern for the wildlife refuge now, though, is Sammy’s need for his carefully chosen diet. If he’s not returned there is a chance he could suffer.
“It’s terrible to worry when you don’t know what to worry about,” she said to Newsday. “We don’t know if he’s alive and well somewhere or if he’s not. We are trying to keep hope. We’re getting a lot of emotional support from the community because a lot of people cared about this bird.”
Since 1782, when the bald eagle became the national emblem, possessing a bald eagle or even one of its feathers will come at a steep cost. While the bird is no longer endangered, it is still protected by federal laws. The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act lays out a $100,000 fine and one year imprisonment for those who harm or kill them.
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