The male eagle was found by a zookeeper early Thursday, suffering from severe puncture wounds in his abdomen. He was in a corner of the enclosure amid signs of a struggle with a predator that is not a zoo animal, said Mary R. Tanner, deputy director of the zoo. Officials said they thought another animal had burrowed under the wire mesh enclosure.

Visitors had varied reactions when they heard of the death. David Dodd of Harrisburg, Pa., said, "That's probably nature at its best." But Larry White of Alexandria said he was "amazed" and wondered what kind of animal would take on such a large raptor. "How does a non- zoo animal get into the cage, and then take on a bald eagle?" he said.

[Bill Xanten] said the eagle enclosure, bounded by high rocks on one side and wire mesh on the other sides as well as on the top, is slated to be renovated. He said it was unlikely that the zoo would replace the eagle.