Two bald eagles — a state and federally protected bird species — have been found shot in Webster County during the past two weeks, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Both birds died.

Webster/Humboldt County Iowa DNR Conservation Officer Bill Spece said the first bird — an immature eagle — was found about two weeks ago by a person looking for deer antler sheds in the Boone Forks Wildlife Area in southeast Webster County.

The second bald eagle — a mature bird — was found Saturday near the sewage lagoons at Lehigh.

Spece said the bird was alive when it was found but died shortly after being taken to a wildlife rehabilitation center. He said the bird had been shot twice.

It’s possible the two shootings may be related.

“Both eagles were shot with a similar caliber firearm and left for dead, so it is possible that these cases are related,” Spece said.

Spece said the two sites are within 10 miles of each other.

He would like the public’s help.

“We don’t have much to go on so we are asking for the public’s help to find those responsible,” he said.

Anyone with information on the eagle killings can use the Iowa DNR Turn In Poachers — TIP — website at www.iowadnr/tip or call the TIP hotline at (800) 532-2020. Spece may also be contacted directly at 571-0127.

Killing a bald eagle is punishable under Iowa law by a fine and the payment of damages.

Spece said that the responsible party could also face much more serious federal charges that include large fines.

The bald eagle, while no longer listed as an endangered species, is still a protected animal.

There have been several other recent cases of bald eagles being killed deliberately in Iowa, including a bald eagle in Polk County that was found in January and another bald eagle found shot on March 3 in Winneshiek County.

The killings have angered many local residents.

“People around here are outraged,” Spece said.