Three partners in the California Condor Recovery Program are offering rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals responsible for the recent deaths of two endangered California condors in Arizona. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a reward of up to $10,000 as is The Peregrine Fund. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is offering up to $1,000. On October 25, California condor #258 was found dead in the Kaibab National Forest in northwestern Arizona. The carcass was found along Forest Road 422 near mile post 27 north of Big Springs. The young male hatched on May 25, 2001 at the World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho and was released into the wild on February 16, 2002 along with seven other birds. Condor #186 died sometime between August 28 and 30 in the Kaibab National Forest in northwestern Arizona. The body was found south of Jacob Lake and northwest of Forest Road 205C. Condor #186, a male, was hatched at the Los Angeles Zoo on April 15, 1998. He was transported to The Peregrine Funds Hurricane Cliffs release site on the 8th of October, 1998 and released with eight other condors on November 18th of the same year. This condor was expected to begin breeding at the normal age (six or seven years). Individuals with information they believe may be helpful should call: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agent in Flagstaff, AZ at (928) 556-7451; The Peregrine Fund at (208) 362-3716; or Arizona Game and Fish Operation Game Thief at 1-800-352-0700. For more information on the Condor program visit The Peregrine Fund
REWARD OFFERED FOR INFORMATION IN CALIFORNIA CONDOR DEATH
