The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) received a report of an injured bald eagle on Jan. 9 at the Port’s Gog-le-hi-te wetland complex at 1402 Lincoln Ave. in Tacoma but was unsuccessful in locating the bird.

After receiving another report on Jan. 10, the Port and WDFW biologists captured the eagle and transported it to a wildlife rehabilitation center on the Kitsap Peninsula.

Due to the severity of the injury, the wildlife rehabilitators determined the most humane approach was to euthanize the adult bald eagle. They found buckshot in its right wing.

The bald eagle is protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and the WDFW law enforcement team is now investigating the case.

If you have any information, please report it to WDFW Enforcement.