Poacher shot 4 elk on federally protected land and left them to rot, CA officials say

A poacher shot four elk and left them to rot on federally protected land in Northern California, officials said.

Wildlife officials learned about the killings July 21 in Redwood National Park , the National Park Service said in a July 30 news release.

The animals were found near the Williams Ridge area along Bald Hills Road, officials said.

Hunting is prohibited in the park at a federal and state level.

The poacher used lead ammunition to the kill the elk, which can be lethal to other animals within the park, particularly to endangered California condors, officials said.

“Lead poisoning from ingestion of lead ammunition is the single largest threat to free-flying California condors,” officials said in the release.

Condors were reintroduced into Redwood National and State Parks in 2022, park officials said.

But they still face threats.

These animals are known scavengers that feed on carcasses left behind by other animals or hunters. If a condor feeds on an animal killed with lead, it could die from being poisoned.

Because of this, officials urge hunters to use ammunition without lead to protect wildlife.

Officials ask for tips

Now, park officials are asking the public to report any information about the poached elk by calling 707-465-7751.

Anonymous tips can be made by calling the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s CalTip tip line at 888-334-2258 or the park’s anonymous crime tip line at 707-765-7353.

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