State wildlife officials are offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for shooting an immature bald eagle found on the Green River, near the town of the same name. The bird was shot around Dec. 18, according to Division of Wildlife Resources officials.

A landowner found the eagle under a cottonwood tree. The bird was transported to a veterinarian, where it was determined that the eagle had been hit with steel shot fired from a shotgun. Waterfowl hunters are required to use steel shot, so it is presumed that a duck hunter shot the eagle.

The DWR quoted Debbie Pappas of Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation as saying the bird can't be released back to the wild due to the permanent nature of its injuries. Veterinary expenses have already amounted to more than $2,000, and the bird will require a lifetime of care.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call DWR officer Roger Kerstetter at 435-820-6013 or the Help Stop Poaching hot line at 1-800-662-DEER. The caller's identity will be held in confidence or may remain anonymous.