Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Enforcement Division agents are seeking leads for an illegally killed black bear who was found in Avoyelles Parish.
A combined reward of $7,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the illegal killing of this bear. LDWF’s Operation Game Thief program and the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation are each offering a reward of $1,000 for a total of $2,000. Additionally, The Humane Society of the United States and The Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust are offering a reward up to $5,000.
A citizen alerted authorities on Dec. 5, 2014 about a dead black bear lying in the woods on Lake Ophelia National Wildlife Refuge. The bear was collected by LDWF and USFWS agents.
A necropsy revealed that the bear was shot with a bullet that went through the abdomen and was likely dead for about 10 to 14 days before he was found. The length, weight and teeth wear of the bear suggest that the animal was a juvenile. The bear weighed approximately 70 pounds.
Anyone with information regarding this illegal killing should call the Louisiana Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-442-2511 or use LDWF’s tip411 program. Information can also be provided to USFWS Federal Wildlife Officers at the Central Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex by calling 318-253-4238.
To use the tip411 program, citizens can text LADWF and their tip to 847411 or download the “LADWF Tips” iPhone and Android app from the Apple App Store or Google Play free of charge.
The hotline and the tip411 are monitored 24 hours a day. Upon request, informants can remain anonymous.
The Louisiana black bear has been listed by the federal Endangered Species Act as a threatened species since 1992. Citizens are reminded that killing a Louisiana black bear is a violation of both State and Federal laws. Violators are subject to penalties up to $50,000 and six months in jail. In addition, a restitution fine of $10,000 for the bear may be imposed.
For more information, contact Adam Einck at 225-765-2465 or aeinck@wlf.la.gov.
