A wedge-tailed eagle which lost a claw when it was caught in an illegal trap in Tasmania may have to be put down.

Key points: The eagle was spotted 10 days ago flying with an illegal rabbit trap caught on its foot

The eagle was spotted 10 days ago flying with an illegal rabbit trap caught on its foot The bird has lost one of its claws and may need to be euthanased.

The bird has lost one of its claws and may need to be euthanased. The maximum fine for aggravated cruelty is $33,000 and/or 5 years in jail

The bird was seen flying around with the rabbit trap hanging from its leg about 10 days ago.

It was found today in a paddock off the Tasman Highway at Four Mile Creek on Tasmania's east coast.

The eagle was found in a paddock beside the Tasman Highway on Tasmania's east coast. ( ABC News: Jessica Moran )

Wildlife experts said it amounted to a "shocking case of animal cruelty".

It is now recovering at a veterinary clinic at St Helens.

East Coast Vet Clinic's Jeff Parson said the eagle may have to be euthanased.

"It looks to have lost one of its four claws which means it won't be able to perch properly or catch food and hold food, so it won't ever get back to the wild," he said.

"It's a sad situation, there is no need for it".

Dr Parson said he was waiting on advice from Parks and Wildlife about what to do next.

Wildlife filmmaker Simon Plowright helped rescue the eagle and said the bird appeared run down.

"The sad thing about this is somebody has gone to a lot of trouble to trap this bird and why? Goodness only knows," he said.

"It could be because they've got a few chooks or something, it's so pointless."

It is illegal to set leg-hold or snare traps in Tasmania without an exemption. ( ABC News: Jessica Moran )

Eric Woehler, from BirdLife Tasmania, said while it was not a hugely prevalent issue, the incident is concerning.

"I was horrified when I saw the pictures of the injuries of the bird's foot," he said.

"These are birds that can live, 30 to 40 years, and this bird's life in the wild has been cut short."

Wedge-tailed eagles are listed as critically endangered in Tasmania with an estimated 350 breeding pairs left in the state.

Under the Animal Welfare Act, it is illegal to set leg-hold or snare traps in Tasmania without an exemption.

Those responsible could face up to five years in prison and be fined $33,600.

Additional penalties under the Threatened Species Protection Act may also apply, with fines of about $100,000 and 12 months in prison.

Mr Woehler believes the penalties are not harsh enough and wants more severe punishment.

"The fact this is still happening when the Government is in the process of increasing penalties for injuries and disturbance to wildlife just shows the message isn't getting through," he said.

In a statement, a spokesperson from the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment said the incident was under investigation.

Anyone with more information is being urged to contact the department or Crimestoppers.