STANTON COUNTY, NE — Law enforcement authorities are investigating two Honduran nationals on multiple charges who were hunting and killed a protected national bird.
Just after 4p.m. Tuesday, sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle just northwest of the main Wood Duck Recreation Area three miles southwest of Stanton, Nebraska according to a media release.
The deputy contacted two men in a vehicle in a field. The deputies determined the men had a dead North American Bald Eagle in their possession.
Further investigation revealed that the two had shot and killed the protected national bird in that area and stated they planned on cooking and eating the bird.
Nebraska Game and Parks was contacted and took custody of the eagle and the rifle used to kill it.
Ramiro Hernandez-Tziquin, 20 and Domingo Zetino-Hernandez, 20, both currently living in Norfolk, Nebraska were cited for unlawful possession of the eagle. Hernandez-Tziquin was also cited for having No Drivers License. More serious charges are possible as the investigation into the killing continues. Click here to read the Bald and Golden eagle protection act.