3 Long Months Later, No Word On Sammy, Stolen Bald Eagle

QUOGUE, NY — Next week will mark three long months since hearts broke nationwide for a stolen bald eagle, Sam, who has a partially amputated right wing.

Three long months of waiting, hoping, and praying. But still, his enclosure remains empty at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge, where schoolchildren have tied notes and drawings. "Please come home," the notes plead.

This week, Marisa Nelson, assistant director of the Quogue Wildlife Refuge, said the wait has been long and painful — but so far, there has been only silence. "There’s noting to report at this time at this time, sadly," she said.

The Refuge has begun amping up its security procedures, adding some cameras, with work ongoing.

And, Nelson said, while three months have passed, there is still a $17,500 reward for information leading to the arrest of whoever stole Sammy.

Children still come to the Refuge with cards, letters and drawings for Sammy, hope alive in their innocent hearts.

"Police are still investigating," Nelson said, adding, "We're still sad — for everybody."

The Refuge said, while the organization did not solicit donations for reward money, they set up an animal enclosure improvement fund to assist in the repair and update of its caging facilities and the installation of better security cameras. To donate, click here.

The stolen bald eagle sparked an outpouring of sadness.

The messages from sad children tied to Sam's reflect a community that has tried for months to grapple with his loss. "Dear Sammy, I hope you can be back soon," one child wrote. "We miss you. We will try to find you," wrote another. "Sammy, I wish you will come back. It bracks (sic) my heart that your (sic) missing. I will never like the person who stole you," another little girl said.

When the bald eagle was stolen from the Quogue Wildlife Refuge, according to Quogue Village Police, officers responded to the facility, located on Old Country Road, and were told by staffers that the 35-year old male bald eagle had been removed from his cage and could not be found.

Upon further investigation, it was determined that the eagle's enclosure had been cut with a sharp instrument and the fencing pulled back to allow access; the eagle was removed from its enclosure and taken to an unknown location, police said.

The bald eagle has lived at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge since 1988, when it was sent to the facility by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service after being injured in the western United States, police said.

The male's right wing was partially amputated as a result of these injuries and he is unable to fly, police said.

Possession of a bald eagle, a federally protected species, is a federal offense punishable by fines and jail time, police said.

The nation mourned his disappearance.

"He has to be so scared and confused," one woman wrote on social media.

The reward for information leading to the arrest of whoever stole Sam now totals $17,500, including $10,000 from the Suffolk County SPCA, up to $2,500 from Crime Stoppers and $5,000 from Nassau County SPCA, said Nelson.

Anyone with information about the incident can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, texting "SCPD" and a message to "CRIMES" (274637) or emailing www.tipsubmit.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential. Or, you can call the Quogue Village Police Department at 631-653-4791 or Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722.