DENVER — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) are seeking information in the poisoning deaths of a bald eagle, a golden eagle, a swainson’s hawk, 14 ravens, 17 magpies, one coyote and several small mammals in the East Fork and Horse Creek drainages located in northwest Fremont County, Wyoming. Additionally, three pet dogs died from ingesting poison-laced baits in the East Fork area; the pet dogs were rushed to a veterinarian after they began convulsing and vomiting, but ultimately died from poisoning. The Fremont County Sheriff’s office is assisting with the investigation into these poisonings.
Investigating officers responded to the East Fork and Horse Creek areas in January 2018 and recovered numerous poisoned animals and poison-laced baits scattered throughout the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission’s Spence and Moriarity Wildlife Management Area, an important wintering range for thousands big game animals and other wildlife. The perpetrators of this poisoning crime may have been targeting coyotes, wolves, and/or grizzly bears. A search of the area revealed no dead wolves or bears.
Illegal poisoning can indiscriminately kill any wildlife or pet that feeds on poison-laced baits; it is a crime that can result tragic and far-reaching consequences, endangering wildlife, pets and even humans.
The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act protects bald and golden eagles, and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects eagles, hawks, ravens and magpies. Golden eagles are considered a declining species in many areas of the United States and this recent poisoning incident will only further imperil the species.
The Service is asking for the public’s help and is offering a monetary reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to the successful arrest and conviction of person(s) associated with the poisoning of these and other animals in Wyoming. An additional cash reward of up to a $5,000 is being offered through the Wyoming Game and Fish Department if the information leads to a conviction. Members of the public who report information can remain anonymous.
If you have any information about this or any wildlife poisoning in Wyoming, please contact the Service’s Lander, Wyoming, Office of Law Enforcement at 307-332-7607 or lawenforcement@fws.gov, or contact the WGFD Stop Poaching Hotline at 1-877-WGFD-TIP (1-877-943-3847). You can call to report violations day or night and on holidays. You can report violations by texting “WGFD” to TIP411 (847-411) or through the WGFD website. You can also call your local game warden.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen in the West, visit our website, or connect with us through any of these social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, and Instagram.
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