Osprey in Indiana County was shot, Pa. game commission seeking tips

A fatally injured osprey discovered April 28 in rural Indiana County, north of Blairsville, was shot, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

“We just received the necropsy report and the osprey was indeed shot by an unknown individual. We’re still looking for any and all information from the public to track down the shooter,” said game commission Officer Chris Reidmiller.

The osprey, an eagle-like hawk, was discovered late last month with a severe fracture to one of its legs in a farm field in Blacklick Township. Its injuries were so severe it could not fly, Reidmiller said.

Reidmiller said he took it to the nonprofit Wildlife Works Inc. rescue facility in Youngwood, but due to its severe injuries, it had to be euthanized the next day.

Reidmiller said one area resident reported seeing the osprey flying in the area Monday night.

“When I initially got the call, people thought it was a bald eagle,” he said.

Riedmiller said someone saw the large bird “hobbling” in the field and telephoned the game commission.

Ospreys weigh 3 to 4 pounds and grow between 21 and 32 inches in length. They are fish-eating birds of prey, but Reidmiller said the area where it was found is not typically where someone would see one.

The area where the osprey was found is 3 to 5 miles north of the Conemaugh River, Reidmiller said. He said authorities believe the shooting occurred one or two days before the osprey was found.

Reidmiller said anyone with information can call the Southwest Region Office of the game commission at 724-238-9523.