$7,000 reward offered for information leading to arrest and conviction
A radio-collared black bear that was part of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ Black Bear Restoration Program was found badly decomposed in the Atchafalaya River in Concordia Parish last month.
According to a news release, the 2-year-old female bear was collared last year and had been tracked in the Turnbull Island area. Agents believe she was killed and then thrown into the river, where she was found by a fisherman on Sept. 1.
A reward of up to $7,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible, according to the release.
The Louisiana black bear has been listed on the Federal Threatened and Endangered Species List since 1992. Residents are reminded that killing a Louisiana black bear is a violation of both state law and the federal Endangered Species Act.
Violators are subject to penalties of up to $50,000 and six months in jail. In addition, a restitution fine of $10,000 for the animal may be imposed on anyone convicted of killing a black bear in Louisiana.
Anyone with information regarding this bear should call the Louisiana Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-442-2511, or use LDWF’s tip411 program.
To use the tip411 program, citizens can text LDWF at 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 program are monitored 24 hours a day, and tipsters can remain anonymous.
