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For Immediate Release
Defenders of Wildlife Offers Reward for Information About Grizzly Bear Killer
MISSOULA, Mont. - Defenders of Wildlife today offered a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer of an endangered grizzly bear in northwest Montana. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offered $2,000, bringing the reward to $4,500.
The bear was found on Oct. 31 in the Sullivan Pass area between the Yaak River and Eureka. Evidence indicated the bear was killed two or three days earlier, according to Montana officials.
"One of the greatest threats to grizzly recovery is people killing them," said Rodger Schlickeisen, president of Defenders of Wildlife. "We want to make it very clear that killing grizzly bears, which are listed as endangered under federal law, is illegal and will not be tolerated. We hope that our reward offer helps to bring the person or persons responsible for this tragedy to justice."
Schlickeisen pointed out that because of the low reproduction rate for grizzly bears, among other factors, losing a bear can be a tremendous blow to the grizzly population in the region. Females do not breed until they are four or five years old and they usually have only one or two cubs every other year.
Killing a grizzly bear is a violation of federal law and can carry a penalty of up to $10,000 and six months in prison. Anyone having any information regarding this killing should call 1-800-TIPMONT. Callers do not need to identify themselves to receive a cash reward.
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Defenders of Wildlife is one of the nation’s most progressive advocates for wildlife and habitat, and was named as one of America’s Top 100 Charities by Worth magazine. With more than 430,000 members and supporters, including nearly 100,000 in California, Defenders is an effective voice for the environment. To learn more about Defenders of Wildlife, please visit www.defenders.org.
