The illegal killing of eagles in the 70 Mile House area has been going on for at least 12 weeks within the same area, officials report.
New information released by the Conservation Officer Service (COS) now indicates upwards of 10 eagles have been shot and/or possibly poisoned, bagged and dumped in a deep ditch alongside of North Bonaparte Road.
100 Mile House Conservation Officer James Zucchelli says the province's veterinary lab is now performing necropsies to determine the cause of death for each of the dead raptors.
"They looked like they were tossed from a vehicle into a deep ditch, so they were in the bush ... which leads me to believe there is more than one person involved.
"We need information; we need the public to come forward with confidential information. We know that somebody knows something and it’s definitely a concern to all of us."
There is up to a $2,000 reward for information leading to a conviction and the identity of the person providing this is confidential, he adds.
Zucchelli notes the best way to report this (or any wildlife conflict) information is the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277, but messages can be left at the 100 Mile House office at 250-395-5511.
In following up on an April 3 complaint, the COS found all the carcasses in garbage bags scattered about 200 metres apart in one area, Zucchelli says, adding they ranged from freshly-killed (five birds) to a few weeks old and up to about three months deceased.
"One was confirmed as a golden eagle, [which] are not that common around here."
While no finger is being pointed pending more evidence coming to light, he notes if there is an animal production issue, livestock can be protected with calving barns, proper supervision or other means.
"There are husbandry measures, best practices that are available to provide advice to producers if they are having problems with eagles and ravens that they perceive are predating upon their calves."
Zucchelli notes the fine for this offence can be is significant as the eagles are a protected species under the Wildlife Act.
The COS is putting "a lot of resources" into these incidents and "the more co-operation we get, the better off it is for the guilty parties once they come forward," he adds.