JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A bald eagle has almost made a full recovery after being shot with an airsoft gun a few days before Christmas.
Action News Jax first told you about Holly when he was found in the backyard of a Fleming Island home, with a 3-inch wound on his chest.
Holly was taken to the Bird Emergency Aid and Kare Sanctuary on Big Talbot Island for treatment.
B.E.A.K.S has been caring of him since, and caretakers say he is now to a point where he can move without being in pain.
"There was nothing broken, nothing internal no bullets inside him so he was lucky and now he is in the process of healing," said Cindy Mosling with B.E.A.K.S.
Holly isn't the only bird being cared for at B.E.A.K.S who is recovering from a gunshot.
A pelican a few doors down from Holly was also shot by an airsoft gun before Christmas in Nassau County.
Mosling says that one-fourth of the birds they are caring for have been used as target practice.
"They have to search their food and hunt it and feed themselves and when they are down they cant do that and they become prey to other animal," said Mosling.
Mosling says Holly will be released in February where he was found in Fleming Island.
She also said she hopes people stop shooting these birds, or report the people who are.
"If you have a gun, act responsibly. I choose not to hunt, but a true hunter would never shoot a hawk or an owl -- they would never do that and leave them there to die," says Mosling.
The fine for anyone caught shooting a bald eagle is $100,000.
B.E.A.K.S is offering a $500 reward for anyone with information that leads to the person responsible for shooting Holly.
WJAX
