Still No Word On Stolen Bald Eagle; Fundraiser To Amp Up Security

QUOGUE, NY — Desperate to try and help in any way possible after a one-winged bald eagle was stolen from the enclosure where he had lived peacefully for 30 years, the community is raising funds to help amp up security measures at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge.

A GoFundMe page, "The Quogue Wildlife Refuge Needs Your Help!" was created by Kimberley Stever and has raised $710 of its $250,000 goal so far.

"The Quogue Wildlife Refuge needs your help to repair and improve the animal enclosures at the preserve," the page said. "The QWR houses non-releasable native wildlife that lives there as a result of a permanent injury or illness."

On Tuesday, July 16 between the hours of 2:15 a.m. and 4:15 a.m. the animal complex was broken into and the beloved long-term resident bald eagle Sam was stolen, the page said.

"The reward for information to facilitate his safe return has now reached $17,500 but it has caused the QWR to realize that the enclosures need to be updated to ensure the future safety and well-being of all the animals that live there," the page said. "Sam was brought to the Refuge in 1988 after he was shot illegally by a poacher; his right wing was partially amputated as a result of his injury. He has lived at the Refuge since that time and is greatly loved and missed."

Funds raised will assist in the repair and update of caging facilities and the installation of better security cameras.

A message from the Refuge thanked the community for the outpouring of love: "Many of you have contributed to the Animal Enclosure Improvement Fund on our website, but so many folks have suggested that we create a GoFundMe page to make it easier for people to contribute. Thank you all so much for your kind words, thoughts and prayers and for the amazing generosity we have experienced. Please share this to spread awareness about Sam and to help ensure the continued well-being of all the animals at the QWR."

Messages from those who have donated reflect a community devastated by the heinous theft of the beloved eagle. Stunned by the act, many have turned to social media to say that they are praying for Sam — their thoughts haunted by the eagle who must be terrified — and for the heartbroken QWR staff that has cared lovingly for him for decades.

"I’m hoping this glorious creature is returned unharmed," one woman wrote.

"QWR has always been such a special place for our family. The staff and volunteers are so dedicated and caring. Hoping for a safe return of Sam," wrote another.

The Suffolk County SPCA announced Wednesday that it has increased its reward to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for the theft of the bald eagle snatched from the Quogue Wildlife Refuge — the only home he has known for 30 years.

The reward 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 Marisa Nelson, assistant director of the Quogue Wildlife Refuge.

"We are all hoping for the safe return of Sammy," the Suffolk SPCA said.

Nelson said Sam's disappearance has had a ripple effect near and far. "It's heartbreaking for so many people. It's so sad," she said. "It's affecting anyone who knows him."

The bald eagle was stolen from the Quogue Wildlife Refuge last week; according to Quogue Village Police, officers responded to the facility, located on Old Country Road, and were told by staffers that a 35-year old male bald eagle with a partially amputated right wing had been removed from its 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.

Nelson said camera footage shows someone crossing the parking lot at 2:15 a.m. on foot and leaving again at 4:15 a.m. with a "bag of some kind."

When asked why someone may have taken the bird, Nelson said. "We won't know why they did it until we find out who did it. Maybe they wanted to keep him as their own. Or maybe they wanted him because there is a black market for eagle feathers. It's just an awful thing."

The main priority, she said, is to get Sam back safely. "He can be dropped off anywhere, a vet's office, anywhere, anonymously. Just let us know where he is. Everyone is on the lookout for Sam the bald eagle. Finding him would be the most wonderful thing to happen. We are all hoping for that."

She added that his disappearance has rocked the Refuge staff. "Everyone is heartbroken here. And we're angry, too."

Sam's plight has sparked interest near and far, with interviews being done as far away as a podcast in Los Angeles and a video for YouTube in Vancouver.

When asked why Sam's disappearance has touched so many hearts, Nelson said, "There are generations of people who know this bird— he's one of a kind — and you don't often get to see a bald eagle up close and learn his story."

Sam's story has been marked by major obstacles: He was struck by an illegal gunshot in the 1980s, which led to the partial amputation of his wing and his need for permanent housing and care. "That's how he came to us," Nelson said.

Not only is the majestic creature a federally protected species, Nelson said, "but he's a symbol of our country. People are horrified by this. They're angry and upset across the country. We are just keeping hope right now."

The stolen bald eagle has sparked an outpouring of sadness. Messages from sad children are tied to Sam's empty cage. "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.

On Saturday, Suffolk County Police Chief of Department Stuart Cameron, Suffolk County Crime Stoppers President Nick Amarr, Suffolk County SPCA Chief Roy Gross, Quogue Village Police Department Chief Christopher B. Isola, and Quogue Wildlife Refuge Director Michael Nelson gathered at Suffolk County Police headquarters in Yaphank to announce the guaranteed Crime Stoppers reward.

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

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.

To donate to the GoFundMe, click here.

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