A laboratory examination has determined two bald eagles found Wednesday along a roadway in Bart Township died from electrocution — several days apart.
The University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center diagnostic laboratory examined the raptors Thursday after they were transported there by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Both the male and female had burned feet, indicating an electrocution from coming in contact with power lines, said Dennis Warfel, wildlife conservation officer for southern Lancaster County.
In addition, the upper part of the male's heart was ruptured, common in electrocutions. The mature male also had a broken and singed wing.
The female, also a mature eagle, had hemorrhaging on the left lung.
One curious discovery was that the state of decomposition indicated the female died several days before the male.
One theory offered by Warfel is that the female was chasing prey around the power line, was electrocuted and was tangled in the power line.
The male may have hung around its mate and also was electrocuted several days later.
Both birds were found near the base of a power line along Route 372 near the highway's intersection with Vintage Road.
A nearby landowner saw the birds while driving and notified a taxidermist, who contacted the Game Commission.
Anyone with information about the eagles is asked to contact Warfel by calling the Game Commission's Southeast Regional Office at (610) 926-3136.