Stolen Bald Eagle Captures Hearts Of Nation

QUOGUE, NY — Hearts across the country are broken for a stolen bald eagle, Sam, who has a partially amputated right wing.

And the donations for his safe return — along with the arrest and conviction of whoever stole him from the Quogue Wildlife Refuge, where he had lived for 30 years— are mounting. As of Monday, according to the Quogue Wildlife Refuge, Suffolk County Crime Stoppers is offering a guaranteed cash reward of $2,500 for the thief's arrest. In addition, rewards from the Nassau and Suffolk SPCAs have brought the total reward to $15,000 for the eagle's safe return.

"If you have Sam, our bald eagle, please drop him off on the front step of the closest or any veterinarian," the Refuge said in a desperate plea.

In addition, the Refuge said, while the organization is not soliciting donations for reward money at this time, they have 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 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 reward.

The bald eagle was stolen from the Quogue Wildlife Refuge last week, police said.

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.

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 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.

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.