CASPER, Wyo. – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department are looking for any information on the poisoning deaths of a golden eagle and ravens southwest of Wamsutter and west of the Eureka Headquarters in Sweetwater County.
According to a news release, the case dates to March 2016, when officials recovered the bodies of one poisoned golden eagle and four poisoned ravens.
They were found dead along with poison-laced baits.
“The tragedy of illegal poisoning is that it indiscriminately kills any wildlife or pet that feeds on the poison-laced baits, and can even harm humans,” said the release.
Officials believe the perpetrator maybe have been targeting native predators, such as eagles and coyotes. No dead coyotes were found in the area, said the release.
Bald and golden eagles are protected species, as are ravens. The release says golden eagles are considered a declining species in much of the United States.
The indiscriminate killing of wildlife by the placement of poison is illegal.
The Service is offering a monetary reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people involved in the incident. Informants can remain anonymous.
Information on how to report any information follows:
If you have any information about this or any wildlife poisoning in Wyoming, please contact the Service’s Lander, Wyoming, Office of Law Enforcement at 307-332-7607 or lawenforcement@fws.gov, or contact the WGFD Stop Poaching Hotline at 1-877-WGFD-TIP (1-877-943-3847). You can call to report violations day or night and on holidays. You can report violations by texting “WGFD” to TIP411 (847-411) or through the WGFD website. You can also call your local game warden.
This article originally appeared on Oil City News. Used with permission.