Authorities: Bald Eagle That Died In Md. Was Shot

PASADENA, Md. (AP) -- Authorities say a bald eagle that died last month after being rescued in Maryland had been shot.

The Maryland Natural Resources Police said Friday that the bird had been shot and that they are now asking for the public's help in identifying the person who harmed the eagle.

The bird was found Sept. 21 near a yacht club in Pasadena. It died three days later.

A necropsy found two birdshot-like pellets embedded in the eagle's right lung.

The eagle was under the protection of the Endangered Species Act until 2007 and was taken off Maryland's endangered species list three years later. It remains illegal to shoot eagles without a permit from the U.S. Department of the Interior.