Game wardens investigating after protected bird species shot in Huntingdon County

HUNTINGDON COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — A protected species of bird that was found suffering from a gunshot wound in Huntingdon County has led to an investigation.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) Operation Game Thief announced Friday that they are searching for information after an adult osprey was found shot in Lincoln Township. The bird was located on Raystown Lake Army Corp of Engineers property along Fouses Crossing Road.

Game wardens said a hunter found the injured animal and called the game commission. Ospreys are labeled as a "species of special concern" and are protected under state & federal laws, according to the PGC.

Anyone with information about the shooting of the bird is asked to report it to the commission's Southcentral Region at 1-833-PGC-HUNT or the Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-888-PGC-8001. Reports can also be made on their website.