Conservation officers in the South Cariboo region of B.C. say someone is killing eagles and dumping their carcasses.

This month, officers have found 15 dead eagles — many of them inside garbage bags — dumped near 70 Mile House.

Sgt. Len Butler said some of the eagles were shot and others may have been poisoned.

"A number of the eagles were fairly fresh — we are going to say probably within a week or so — and some were a little older, more decomposed."

Some of the eagle were shot and others may have been poisoned. (Ministry of Environment)

Conservation officers have sent the dead eagles to a lab to determine how they died, but have ruled out trafficking because, he said, "The carcasses are whole. There are no parts removed from these carcasses."

Butler said it may be hard to find out who is responsible for killing the birds, but officers will attempt to get fingerprints off the garbage bags.

"You want to think there is a rational reason for this. There really is none," Butler said.