Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents are investigating after two whooping cranes that were found shot in Jefferson Davis Parish this morning, Feb. 7.

The whooping cranes were found and recovered near the corner of Compton Road and Radio Tower Road just north of Roanoke about five miles north of Interstate 10. Agents found a shot and killed female whooping crane and a shot and injured male whooping crane.

LDWF personnel were able to retrieve the injured male crane and will transport it to LSU for examination. It appears at this time to have an injured wing suffered from the shot. Agents believe that the birds were shot with bird shot sometime yesterday, Feb. 6.

“Anytime we lose one of these cranes it sets us back in our efforts to restore the whooping crane population back to its historic levels in Louisiana,” said LDWF Secretary Robert Barham. “These were once native birds to Louisiana and the department would like to see these cranes thrive again in the future with a sustainable population.”

LDWF’s Operation Game Thief program is offering up to a $1,000 reward for any information about this illegal shooting that leads to an arrest. To report any information regarding this whooping crane shooting, please call 1-800-442-2511.

http://www.katc.com/news/reward-offered-after-whooping-cranes-shot-in-jeff-davis/