SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, July 20, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Officials are reaching out to the public for investigative help after a second California condor was shot and killedÂ
“We are working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to investigate incidents where two California condors were shot and killed in southern Utah in the last two years,” the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources said Friday.
“The first condor was discovered during the fall of 2022 in a remote area southeast of Cedar City and north of Zion National Park. The second condor was discovered last month in the same area. Both birds were shot with firearms.”
Anyone with information about these incidents –or those who were involved — is asked to report it by calling 800-662-3337 or by texting 847411. Learn more about the case: bit.ly/4f6E6pv
“At this time, previous leads have not yielded results, so the DWR and USFWS are asking the public for information regarding these incidents and those who are responsible.”
As they are protected under the Endangered Species Act, it is illegal for anyone to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture or collect California condors, the DWR press release said.
“The individuals involved in killing these birds could face a third-degree felony charge of wanton destruction of protected wildlife, with a maximum fine of $5,000, restitution of $1,500 and a five-year prison sentence.”
The historical California condor population declined to just 22 individuals in the wild by 1987. Currently, the California Condor Recovery Program, led by the USFWS, works with many partners to increase populations through captive breeding and release of these protected birds.
As of June 2024, there are 85 condors in the wild in the rugged canyon country of northern Arizona and southern Utah. This number declined in 2023 due to impacts from the highly pathogenic avian influenza.
“The total world population of endangered California condors numbers more than 560 individuals, with more than half flying free in Arizona, Utah, California and Mexico.”
Anyone with information regarding the illegal killing of these two California condors is encouraged to report it to the DWR and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in one of the following ways:
- By calling the UTiP Hotline at 800-662-3337
- The UTDWR Law Enforcement app
- By texting 847411
- By calling the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service tip line at 844-397-8477
- Submitting a tip on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website
A reward may be available for information leading to the successful prosecution of those responsible. Requests for confidentiality are respected.
