Officials search for Wisconsin osprey, owl shooter

ANTIGO, Wis. - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials are searching for whoever is shooting federally protected raptors in Wisconsin.

A spokeswoman for the service's Midwest region tells (Wisconsin Rapids) Daily Tribune Media at least one osprey and one barred owl were shot in Bayfield County in recent weeks. Both species are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

She says the adult male osprey was shot in the wing and was eventually euthanized.

Raptor Education Group director Marge Gibson says an osprey chick jumped from a nest into traffic and died. The mother's body was later found decomposing nearby. Gibson says orphaned chicks' options are to starve in the nest or jump.

She says people usually shoot osprey because they think birds are eating fish that people otherwise would catch.