A federal agency is offering a $2,500 reward for tips on who fatally shot an American bald eagle last month in north Alabama.

The mature American bald eagle was found Dec. 8 near Mt. Hope in Lawrence County with “many” shotgun pellets lodged in its carcass, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, who along with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources are seeking information on who was behind the incident.

Bald eagles are protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Anyone who violates the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act face fines up to $100,000 and/or up to one year in federal prison, while violators of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act face up to a $15,000fine and/or up to a year in a federal lockup.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering an up to $2,500 reward for information leading to a conviction of the person or persons responsible for the fatal shooting.

Anyone with information on the investigation was asked to call U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent Brad Rabalais at 601-331-0292 or the Alabama Game Watch Hotline at 1-800-272-4263.