DNR seeks tips about dead eagles in Delta County

Public Radio 90, WNMU | By Nicole Walton

Published April 27, 2026 at 11:08 AM EDT

GARDEN PENINSULA, MI— The Department of Natural Resources is asking for tips regarding the deaths of five bald eagles on the Garden Peninsula.

The protected birds were found deceased in a single area between April 3 and April 17.

1^st Lt. Mark Zitnik is a DNR Law Enforcement supervisor in Newberry. He says the eagles did not die from natural causes, predators, or vehicle collisions.

Anyone with information regarding the deaths is asked to contact the DNR’s Report All Poaching hotline by calling or texting 800-292-7800. Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Eagles are state and federally protected. In addition to court costs, penalties for the 90-day misdemeanor of killing the birds include fines ranging from $100 to $1,000 per eagle and reimbursement of $1,500 per eagle.

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Nicole Walton

Nicole was born near Detroit but has lived in the U.P. most of her life. She graduated from Marquette Senior High School and attended Michigan State and Northern Michigan Universities, graduating from NMU in 1993 with a degree in English.

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