September 4th 2024.
A tragic incident has occurred in the southwestern part of Colorado, where a rare California condor was shot and killed. This species, known for its majestic presence and critically endangered status, has been struggling to survive in the wild. With only 85 condors remaining in the rugged canyons of northern Arizona and southern Utah, their population has been greatly affected by avian influenza in 2023.
It is a rare occurrence to spot a condor in Colorado, as they are not commonly seen in this area. However, in late March of this year, a dead condor was discovered in a remote location northeast of Lewis and west of McPhee Reservoir in Montezuma County. Officials from Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) released a statement, expressing their shock and disappointment at this senseless act.
According to CPW, the massive bird was found approximately 24 hours after it was killed. Despite their efforts, previous leads have not led to any results in identifying the culprit. In response, CPW and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are appealing to the public for any information regarding this incident and those responsible.
As a protected species under the Endangered Species Act, it is illegal to harm or harass California condors. This means that whoever is responsible for this heinous act could face severe consequences. CPW officials have stated that the culprit could be charged with a third-degree felony of wanton destruction of protected wildlife, with a maximum fine of $5,000, restitution of $1,500, and a five-year prison sentence.
Back in 1987, the California condor population had plummeted to a mere 22 birds in the wild. To reverse this decline, a federal recovery program was implemented, which included captive breeding and the release of condors into the wild. Thanks to these efforts, the total world population of condors now exceeds 560, with more than half of them soaring freely in Arizona, Utah, California, and Mexico.
If you have any information about the killing of this condor, please reach out to the Colorado Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-877-265-6648, send an email to
[email protected], or contact federal authorities at 844-397-8477. You can also provide information through the CPW website. Those who provide information that leads to the successful prosecution of the culprit may be eligible for a reward, as stated by CPW and USFWS officials. Rest assured, your request for confidentiality will be respected. Let us all work together to bring justice to this innocent and magnificent creature.
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