SAINT PAUL, Ore. -- An osprey was shot and fatally wounded within view of her nest in St. Paul, Ore. over Memorial Day weekend, Audubon Society officials said.

Photo courtesy of the Audubon Society

The fatally wounded osprey with blood seen on its wing is examined by wildlife experts.

The Audubon Society of Portland is offering a $1,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the shooter.

The mother bird suffered a single bullet wound to her right wing that shattered the bone and twisted her wing 360 degrees, said Bob Sallinger, Conservation Director Audubon Society of Portland.

“She was left to die on the ground while her mate continued to fly back and forth to their nearby nest,” he said.

The crime was committed on Riverside Drive Northeast.

Young osprey were not visible from the ground in the nest, but it is highly likely at this time of year that her eggs had already hatched.

“It is hoped that the father will be able to continue caring for the young and the situation is being actively monitored,” Sallinger said.

Audubon volunteers captured the injured female and transported her back to the Audubon Society building. However, an examination and x-rays showed the wing was far beyond repair. The osprey was euthanized.

“The shooting of this osprey was senseless, sadistic and illegal,” Sallinger said.

This was the second osprey treated at Audubon’s Wildlife Care Center in the past four days for gunshot wounds. The other osprey, from Turner, Ore., also had to be euthanized after being left to die from a shotgun blast, according to Sallinger.

Osprey are protected under state and federal law.

Audubon is calling for State and Federal Legislation that would increase penalties for intentional killing of protected bird species from a misdemeanor to a felony.

Congressman Peter DeFazio has introduced legislation into Congress that would accomplish this.

“Under the current misdemeanor provisions, even the most wanton and sadistic bird related crimes often result in minimal penalties,” Sallinger said.