Bald Eagle Shot In Middle Tennessee

NASHVILLE, TN -- Officials at Nashville's Walden's Puddle say a bald eagle brought to the facility after being shot will likely recover.

The wildlife recovery center posted a photo of the majestic and "handsome" bird this weekend, saying they are "optimistic" he will recover, but that his injuries were "100 percent preventable."

Bald eagles, along with a number of other birds, are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, a federal law that implemented regulations as part of a treaty between the United States and Great Britain - acting on Canada's behalf - that protects 800 species from being pursued, hunted, taken or otherwise killed or harassed. Since the initial treaty, the United States has entered into similar conventions with Mexico, Russia and Japan.

There are precious few exceptions to the law - certain Native American tribes are allowed, for example, to take bald eagle feathers for religious ceremonies - and largely the killing or movement of any of the birds require a special and rare permit from the Department of the Interior.

Photo via Walden's Puddle