Extremely rare California condor killed in Colorado. Wildlife officials offer reward for help finding poacher.
The poaching further challenges one of the most endangered species in North America, after years of recovery struggle
Chris Trent/Condors at California’s Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge. (Source: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Someone shot and killed an extremely rare California condor near McPhee Reservoir in southwestern Colorado this spring, and wildlife officials are now asking for the public’s help in tracking down a poacher who eliminated one of the big birds that have been coaxed for decades into rewilding.
After avian flu in 2023 hit the complex condor revival program, there are only about 85 of the giants flying through canyons of northern Arizona and southern Utah, with occasional forays into Colorado. About 560 exist now from Mexico through the Southwest, and the reintroduction efforts recently expanded to the Pacific Northwest.
The shot condor was found just a day after it was killed in late March, Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials said Wednesday. The bird’s carcass was discovered west of McPhee Reservoir and northeast of Lewis, in a remote area. Cortez is the nearest larger town.
Colorado and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have been working leads but made no progress. They hope the public might contribute information about the offender, who could face third-degree felony charges, prison and $5,000 fines under the Endangered Species Act.
Read more from Michael Booth at ColoradoSun.com.
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