On Tuesday, July 16th between the hours of 2:15 and 4:15 AM the animal complex was broken into and their beloved long term resident Bald Eagle, 'Sam' was stolen. The reward for information to facilitate his safe return has now reached $17,500 but it has caused the QWR to realize that the enclosures NEED to be updated to ensure the future safety and well-being of all the animals that live there.Sam was brought to the Refuge in 1988 after he was shot illegally by a poacher, his right wing was partially amputated as a result of his injury. He has lived at the Refuge since that time and is greatly loved and missed.From the Refuge:We are touched by the concern and offerings of support for the safe return of our eagle ‘Sam’.The Quogue Police Department and many other organizations are working hard on this case. Currently, The Nassau and Suffolk SPCA, and Suffolk County Crime Stoppers are offering rewards totaling $17,500 for the safe return of our eagle.Although we are not soliciting donations for reward money at this time, we have set up an animal enclosure improvement fund to assist in the repair and update of our caging facilities and the installation of better security cameras.The funds raised in honor of Sam will be used to repair and update the animal enclosures, to increase security at the Refuge, and for the long term care of their resident injured wildlife.More information about Quogue Wildlife Refuge (Quogue Wildlife Refuge):The Quogue Wildlife Refuge is a Non-Profit Nature Preserve established in 1934, Wildlife Refuge and Education Center located in Quogue, NY. Which houses injured/non-releasable native wildlife and has over 7 miles of nature trails through diverse habitats including forests and ponds, as well as the ecologically rare Dwarf Pines in the Pine Barrens.Their mission is to serve as a responsible land steward of the Refuge property and its natural resources, while promoting, implementing, and supporting environmental education. Their philosophy is to inspire people to care for the environment by providing experiences that lead them to understand their connection to the natural world, to maintain this planet for all living things.