Utah investigators are seeking those responsible for the recent killings of two endangered California condors.
The two condors were found shot, one in 2022 and another last month, with both discovered in the same area southeast of Cedar City and north of Zion National Park. This brings down the population of these critically endangered species 85 remaining in the wild in northern Arizona and southern Utah as of June 2024. There are currently no leads on the perpetrators.
(Utah Division of Wildlife Resources) One of two endangered California condors illegally shot and killed near Cedar City.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and U.S. Wildlife Services are appealing to the public for any information regarding the shootings.
“The illegal killing of these two condors is a devastating and unnecessary loss,” said Russell Norvell, avian conservation program coordinator at DWR. The losses have unwound than a decade’s worth of progress in the recovery efforts for the species, he said.
“It honestly is really, really frustrating for our folks,” said Faith Jolley, DWR’s public information officer. “There’s a lot of people, including a lot of our biologists, other agencies that we partner with, that spend a lot of time and resources and effort into helping these species recover.”
This is the first incident of poaching of this kind in the last 10 years, Jolley said.
If those responsible are identified, they are likely to face a third-degree felony charge. This could result in a maximum fine of $5,000, restitution of $1,500, and up to a five-year prison sentence.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources or U.S. Wildlife Services immediately in one of these ways:
Calling the UTiP Hotline at 800-662-3337.
Using the UTDWR Law Enforcement app.
Texting 847411.
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.
Should the submitted information lead to a successful prosecution of the responsible parties, a reward may be available. Requests for confidentiality are also respected.