$6K Reward Offered to Find the Poacher that Killed a Seriously Endangered Family of Loons

In an unusual case of poaching in the pacific northwest, Washington officials are puzzled and in search of the person or persons that killed a family of common loons late last month. 

While most poachers are attracted to masses of bone or, in the very least, a freezer full of meat, this peculiar case seems to be as simple as killing off the entire family and leaving the birds to waste. 

What makes the case even more unique is the fact that the senseless killing has resulted in just 11 breeding pairs left in this northeastern region of the state. To say that the act was damaging to the species survival in this portion of the state would be an understatement.

As such, a number of organizations have stepped up, including Delta Waterfowl and the Washington Waterfowl Association to assist WDFW in their efforts to find the culprits. The groups have put together a $6,000 reward for any information that would lead to a conviction.

The loons were recovered on June 22nd near Beaver Lake on the Colville National Forest.

“With the help of several concerned community members, the officers recovered two adult loons and one chick. A second deceased chick was reportedly seen in the lake earlier that day,” WDFW explains in a press release. “Multiple witnesses reported hearing gunshots in the area the evening before.”

These fish-eating birds have a long and storied history in Washington State having been nearly extirpated from the landscape through the 1970s. Efforts since then have gone a long way in restoring the birds, which were are often illegally killed given the public’s perception on competing with fish-eating birds out on the lake.

Washington officials are inviting the public to report any details that might aid in the investigation through the state’s website.