Bald Eagle Killed by Minnesota Wind Turbine
An American bald eagle was struck and killed by a wind turbine at the University of Minnesota’s Eolos Wind Energy Research Field Station. The scene was grisly. The bird’s remains were found in pieces beneath the turbine.
Officials say the university didn’t have an incidental take permit under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. A Department of the Interior violation notice proposes a civil penalty of $14,536. The notice also says the university knew bird collisions were a risk and was testing collision-detection sensors when the eagle was hit.
This matters for a few reasons. First, the bald eagle is a national symbol. Second, the incident shows the real costs of rushed or poorly managed green projects. Studies and warnings about bird strikes around turbines aren’t new. President Donald Trump has pointed this out repeatedly. Critics dismissed him. Now this happened — and it’s hard to wave away.
The university’s own technicians discovered the remains in stages. They found the lower torso and tail first. The head and wings were recovered more than a month later. The image and description are stark. It’s an ugly outcome for a majestic animal.
There are practical takeaways. Permits exist for a reason. So do safety systems. If you run a turbine research site, you can’t treat collision risk as an afterthought. The $14,536 penalty is small compared with the symbol lost and the public outrage that follows. But it’s a start toward accountability.
For supporters of wind power, this should be a wake-up call, not a reason to bury heads in the sand. Better siting. Better tech. Real monitoring. Real permits. And clear communication with regulators and the public. If those steps aren’t taken, incidents like this will keep happening.
People on the left often claim deep concern for wildlife and the environment. They should demand action now — not excuses after a dead eagle appears at the base of a turbine.
The University of Minnesota is facing a penalty of more than $14,000 after it was discovered that a green energy initiative funded by the Obama administration was responsible for killing an American bald eagle. pic.twitter.com/vVPUohdAFE
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) February 6, 2026