The shooting of another eagle in Tasmania has sparked outrage from wildlife experts and the wider community.

A white-bellied sea eagle was found unable to fly with a badly injured wing at wetlands in the Hobart suburb of Gagebrook on Monday.

The bird was captured later that day by independent wildlife biologist Nick Mooney.

Mr Mooney said the bird was likely shot more than a week earlier and had been slowly starving.

The bird's fate prompted calls for tighter gun laws in the state. ( Facebook: RWRT )

He took the animal to a vet hoping it could be saved, but the bird had to be euthanased after X-rays showed extensive injuries and shotgun pellets lodged in its body.

"Shotguns are a very common firearm. Unfortunately, they are that common that they get into some idiot's hands," Mr Mooney said.

"There is no conceivable reason someone would have a rational reason to shoot one of these birds. It's just really stupid.

"I suspect it was shot just as a matter of opportunity — someone had a gun and couldn't help themselves.

"The shooting is completely unnecessary and highly illegal."

Mr Mooney has reported the incident to the authorities.

Ranger identify weapon type

There are less than 200 breeding pairs of white-bellied sea eagles in Tasmania. ( Flickr: Julie Burgher )

The environment department's head wildlife ranger Luke Bond said the bird had suffered terribly.

He said investigators knew what type of firearm was used and were talking to local residents.

"We will prosecute any offenders that are involved in shooting protected or threatened wildlife and we'll prosecute them to the full force of the law," he said.

"This type of criminal and cruel behaviour only destroys the state's natural assets."

Mr Bond said the shooting was a criminal offence and appealed for public help to catch the offenders.

"This is conducted by a criminal and we need to identify who that person is because not only do they pose a risk to the public, if they can do this what else can they do with firearms."

Outrage over 'heartless' act

After Mr Mooney posted news of the bird's death on Facebook, many people expressed their dismay and outrage.

"It's a special kind of hell I pray exists for wasters like this. It's so pointless and so tragick [sic]. I was only admiring one circling above the township of Huonville. It was massive and glorious. I felt something strong when I saw it and was bothered that I had to keep driving. I just wanted to stop and watch it," posted Trent Griggs.

"I'm sick of heartless 'people' doing these repulsive things. Makes me sad and angry," wrote Linda Kings.

The bird's death prompted some debate on gun laws.

"Gun laws need to be tightened to stop the slaughter of our beautiful wildlife. Morons with guns kill," wrote Libby Douglas.

"This has nothing to do with gun laws. If this was done by a LAFO [law-abiding firearm owner] I'd be mighty surprised. I think you'll find just about every law abiding firearm owner would be just as outraged by this behaviour as anybody," wrote Oliver Perkins.

According to Tasmania's Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, there are fewer than 200 breeding pairs of white-bellied sea eagles in Tasmania.

The protected species is threatened by shooting, poisoning, tree felling, accidents at fish farms and disturbance of breeding from residential development and recreational activities.

In May, a wedge-tailed eagle died after being shot with a shotgun.