Long Island officials are offering a $15,000 reward for the safe return of “Sam” — an elderly bald eagle that was stolen from his enclosure at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge.
The Nassau and Suffolk SPCAs have been posting messages on social media, begging for the bird to be brought back to his protected home in the Hamptons.
“If you have Sam, our Bald Eagle, please drop him off on the front step of the closest or any Veterinarian,” officials wrote on the Quogue refuge’s Facebook page.
The public pleas have led to an outpouring of support — but unfortunately, no Sam.
“We are touched by the concern and offerings of support,” officials said Friday. “There are many organizations working hard on this case. Currently, The Nassau and Suffolk SPCA, and Suffolk County Crime Stoppers are offering rewards totaling $15,000 for the safe return of our eagle.”
The theft was first reported last week, with officials sending out a press release and multiple FB posts saying Sam’s captor was wanted for grand larceny.
“OUR BALD EAGLE WAS TAKEN AND IS MISSING!” the refuge said. “He will be stressed and cannot survive without our care. We want him back unharmed. It is a federally protected bird and cannot survive in the wild as he has an amputated wing.”
According to officials, “an unknown person entered the Quogue Wildlife Refuge, located at 3 Old Century Road, between 2:15 a.m. and 4:15 a.m., on July 16 and cut the fencing” around Sam’s enclosure.
Sam, 35, cannot fly due to his partially amputated wing and officials are worried that he isn’t getting the proper care he needs. Local residents also fear for the eagle’s safety.
“I hope if anyone knows anything they are smart enough to please contact the authorities before anything happens to this beautiful bird,” said Shirley resident Nikki Farley. “It breaks my heart that someone would do something so treacherous.”
Carolyn Wolosin-Hering added, “So Sad. [Sam] has been there since my kids and I were young. They took such great care of him. Please who ever took him. Just return mim back to his mome.”