In partnership with Indiana Department of Natural Resources TIP Advisory Board, we are looking for information regarding a federally and state-protected whooping crane that is believed to have been shot in southern Greene County, Indiana, near the White River around late December 2013.
A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible.
“The protection of our natural resources is our top priority,” said Indiana TIP President Joe Cales. “We encourage our citizens to be active in reporting those who commit crimes against our wildlife resources and we are happy to offer this reward for information that identifies the responsible party.”
Whooping cranes are protected by the Endangered Species Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Indiana law. Whooping cranes are North America’s tallest birds, standing more than 5 feet in height. The whooping crane in this open case was part of an effort to re-establish a flock on a migratory path between Wisconsin and Florida.
"This wildlife crime is significant in that it has undermined the tireless efforts put toward the recovery of the whooping crane in the Midwest,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Assistant Special Agent in Charge Warren Buhl. “We are very interested in any information regarding this illegal act."
We encourage anyone with information to come forward. Investigations have been solved with information that was originally thought of as insignificant. If you have information, you can reach law enforcement officers at 1-800-TIP-IDNR (847-4367) or 317-346-7016.
