A wave of shock and outrage is rippling through the Northglenn community this morning after a disturbing discovery on the icy banks of Croke Reservoir. In what local authorities are calling a senseless and illegal act of cruelty, a majestic eagle—a bird that stands as a living testament to American strength—was found grounded and suffering after being shot with a metal ball bearing.

Feb 2, 2026

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Colorado Wildlife Officials Searching for Answers After Bald Eagle Is Shot and Injured

“There’s a difference between being a licensed waterfowl hunter and being out there and just shooting at any bird that flies across the sky,” said CPW spokesperson Kara Van Hoose

Injured bald eagle Colorado Parks and Wildlife

A bald eagle is on the road to recovery and is hoping to be back in the skies soon after being shot in the wing in Colorado.

On Monday, Jan. 12, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officers, Northglenn Animal Control officers and Northglenn park rangers responded to reports that an eagle was spotted on an icy shoreline at Croke Reservoir, according to a news release.

After taking the injured bird to a local wildlife rehabilitation facility for treatment, X-rays revealed that the federally and state-protected species had been shot in the wing with a ball bearing — though it is unclear whether it was fired from a firearm, slingshot, or some other kind of device.

The bird has since undergone surgery to remove the metal projectile, per CPW, and has been recovering at a rehabilitation facility.

Bald eagle shot with ball bearing Colorado Parks and Wildlife — *Bald eagle shot with ball bearing*

Under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, injuring or killing a bald eagle in any capacity is illegal.

“There’s a difference between being a licensed waterfowl hunter and being out there and just shooting at any bird that flies across the sky,” CPW spokesperson Kara Van Hoose told CBS News. “And we think that this is probably a case of the latter, and we want somebody to really come forward and let us know what happened here.”

“We want to talk to anybody who has any information, and if you don’t feel comfortable leaving your name or contact info, you can also report these anonymously to us through our Operation Game Thief email and phone number,” she added.

While bald eagles, a type of raptor, were previously listed as endangered, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reported in 2021 that bald eagle numbers have vastly improved, quadrupling over three years.

An X-ray of the eagle's affected wing Colorado Parks and Wildlife — *An X-ray of the eagle’s affected wing*Colorado Parks and Wildlife

The bald eagle was named the official national bird of the United States of America in December 2024 when Joe Biden signed the legislation into law. And even before that, the bird has been a symbol of “independence, strength, and freedom” for hundreds of years.

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In their findings on the bill to amend Title 36 of the United States Code, Congress noted that “bald eagles are integral to the spiritual lives and sacred belief systems of most Indigenous peoples and Tribal communities” and that festivals celebrating the bird are held in over “100 locations across the United States.”