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Last updated on Wednesday, January 25, 2017
(LYONS) - In an effort to apprehend those responsible for the killing of the Whooping Crane, the reward for information has increased to $15,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for killing the federally endangered bird.
The increase came Monday after the Center for Biological Diversity added $5,000 to the reward amount. The center is a national, nonprofit conservation group and is the fifth group to contribute money to the reward.
Operation Migration, which has played a lead role in the reintroduction of whooping cranes in the eastern part of the U.S., has added $3,500 to the reward. An International Crane Foundation volunteer found the dead crane on January 3, near Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area. This 8,000 acre protected area of prairie and marsh habitat is frequented by cranes. While initial findings show that the bird was killed by a high-powered rifle, the carcass has been sent to our National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory in Ashland, Oregon for confirmation.
Indiana Department of Natural Resources officials say that remains of the 5-year-old female crane were found in a field along Indiana 67 near the Goose Pond State Fish and Wildlife Area.
State officials say there are only about 120 whooping cranes in the U.S. and they are federally endangered species.
Anyone with information can call the Indiana Conservation Officer dispatch number at 812-837-9536 or the state's poacher hotline at 1-800-TIP-IDNR.
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