Despite CPR, A Bald Eagle Found In Milwaukee County With Suspected Gunshot Wounds Has Died

MILWAUKEE, WI — The bald eagle found in Franklin with injuries that were suspected to be from a gunshot went into cardiac arrest Monday night during a specialized surgery and has died, a spokesperson for the Wisconsin Humane Society said in a statement.

The eagle made it through initial surgery on Thursday but did not make it through the additional surgery to stabilize his fracture and further treat his injuries, according to the statement from Angela Speed, the vice president of marketing and communications for WHS.

The eagle died despite attempts to resuscitate him including CPR, Speed wrote.

Besides the eagle's fractured wing, he had a broken beak tip, plus, bloodwork showed elevated lead levels, a news release from the Wisconsin Humane Society said Monday. A conservation warden from the state Department of Natural Resources brought the raptor in after it was found on Wednesday.

"We cannot thank the community enough for the compassion and support shown for this special patient while our team of wildlife rehabilitators worked tirelessly over the past several days trying to save him," read the statement from Speed. "We appreciate the heroic efforts of the expert medical team at Blue Pearl Pet Hospital Milwaukee, and the officials with the DNR, whom we have been working with closely on this case. We are mourning the loss of this eagle alongside our community."

An active bald eagle nest was confirmed in Milwaukee County this March, marking the first time in decades that the birds of prey lived in every Wisconsin county, the DNR said at the time.

The DNR is investigating the matter, and all tips are welcome, even if they seem minor, according to Joanne M. Haas, the public information officer for the DNR Division of Public Safety and Resource Protection.

You can report a violation to the Wisconsin DNR through the agency's website. You can also contact a DNR tipline at 1-800-847-9367.