$15,000 reward offered for information about person who killed a whooping crane in Louisiana

MAMOU, La. (AP) — A $15,000 reward is now being offered to find out who killed a whooping crane in south Louisiana in January, officials said.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in a news release, announced last week that $5,000 is available for information regarding the endangered bird, which was found dead Jan. 9 in Evangeline Parish along Besi Lane in Mamou, Louisiana. On Monday, the Center for Biological Diversity boosted the amount by $10,000.

A necropsy determined that the juvenile bird was shot, resulting in a spinal fracture and internal bleeding.

“I’m grieving the senseless and illegal killing of this majestic bird, and the perpetrator has to be brought to justice,” said Will Harlan, a senior scientist at the Center. “This cowardly act against a critically endangered and beloved bird can’t go unpunished. I hope someone does the right thing and steps forward with information.”

Whooping cranes are endangered under the 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Endangered Species Act of 1973. It is illegal to harm the species in any way. The reward is for information leading to the arrest or criminal conviction of those involved.

<bsp-list-loadmore data-module="" class=«PageListStandardB» data-gtm-region=«READ MORE» data-gtm-topic=«No Value» data-show-loadmore=«true» data-gtm-modulestyle=«List B»> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> READ MORE </bsp-custom-headline> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> Louisiana lawmakers set out on a clear path for conservative priorities </bsp-custom-headline> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signs tough-on-crime legislation </bsp-custom-headline> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> Amid Louisiana’s crawfish shortage,