HEUVELTON – A bald eagle seems to have been shot to death near Heuvelton, and authorities are asking for help in finding the person responsible for killing a bird revered as a national symbol.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation is seeking help from the public to identify the person responsible for killing the female bird earlier this week, on the Oswegatchie River.

DEC said the eagle had been observed feeding on a deer carcass on the far side of the Oswegatchie River along the River Road in the Town of Oswegatchie as recently as Tuesday afternoon.

Wednesday evening the eagle was lying dead on the ice near open water.

An Environmental Conservation Officer was able to retrieve the eagle and said the initial evaluation indicates it had been shot by someone on the River Road side of the Oswegatchie River.

The eagle will be examined by the DEC pathology unit to determine the cause of death.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Environmental Conservation Police at (315) 785-2231 or toll free at 1-800-TIPP-DEC (1-800-847-7332).

Information may also be submitted by e-mail to r6dsptch@gw.dec.state.ny.us.

All information will be kept confidential.

It is illegal for anyone to kill or injure a bald eagle in New York state.

Anyone convicted of killing a bald eagle may be subject to a penalty of up to $5,000 and/or 90 days in jail. Anyone providing information leading to the conviction of the shooter is entitled to half of the fine paid in court, up to $2,500.