Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are asking for information regarding the March shooting of a critically endangered California condor northeast of Lewis, Colorado, in Montezuma County.
The bird, of which around 560 were estimated to be alive as of late 2022, had ventured out of its typical range in Arizona, Utah, California and Mexico when it was fatally shot in late March, according to a joint news release.
The agencies kept the death under wraps as it investigated in the past last five months. However, previous leads have failed to yield results.
Condors are protected under the Endangered Species Act, meaning it is illegal for anyone to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture or collect California condors. According to a new release, anyone involved in killing the bird 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.
This is not the first time a condor has made its way toward Cortez. In 2015, a wandering bird which had been feared dead popped up near Dolores, thrilling viewers. “Nate,” as the condor was named, based on wing tag number, N8, showed up again in 2019.
The then-2-year-old male condor became well-known as readers throughout the Southwest followed his epic 640-mile flight from the Grand Canyon, through the Four Corners then back, over nine days.
Tips can be submitted to Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Game Thief Hotline at 1-877-COLO-OGT (1-877-265-6648) or game.thief@state.co.us. Tips can also be submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service tip line at 844-397-8477.
Confidentiality will be respected and a reward may be available to anyone providing information that leads to a successful prosecution of the responsible parties.
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