Bald eagle shot at KY state park must be euthanized, officials say

Christopher Leach, Lexington Herald-Leader on Feb 5, 2026

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LEXINGTON, Ky. — A bald eagle found recently at a Kentucky state park with a gunshot wound will need to be euthanized, according to a Facebook post from Kentucky State Parks.

The eagle was found Monday at Lake Cumberland State Park in Russell County. The park said an employee spotted the eagle alongside the road, and other employees helped safely secure it.

Veterinarians with the Lake Cumberland Wildlife Refuge Home of Liberty Nature Center evaluated the eagle and determined it suffered a gunshot wound that caused permanent damage. The park said the injury caused trauma to its wing and surrounding tissue that would prevent the eagle from ever flying again, and it would suffer ongoing pain.

“The eagle we rescued earlier this week will need to be humanely euthanized,” the park said in a Facebook post. “Despite our hopes and the dedicated efforts of wildlife veterinarians, the injuries from a gunshot wound are too severe for recovery.”

The park is asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. The park said shooting eagles is illegal, and anyone convicted of the crime could face prison time and a fine of up to $100,000.

Hunting at Lake Cumberland State Park is also prohibited, the park said.

“Though we couldn’t save this one, we’ll continue fighting for every animal inside our park,” the park said.