COLVILLE, Wash. (AP) — Birdwatchers in northeastern Washington are offering a reward to find whoever killed a rare trumpeter swan on the Colville River west of Colville.
At least $1,600 has been collected by birding groups for information leading to the arrest of whoever shot the swan on Dec. 28. The bird later had to be euthanized by a state Fish and Wildlife Department officer.
Trumpeter swans are a protected species in Washington. Birdwatchers tell The Spokesman-Review that they fear the dead bird is a swan nicknamed Solo, which for decades has been seen at the nearby Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge. Last spring, Solo and his mate hatched the first brood of cygnets at the refuge in more than 20 years.
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Eds: People with information can call Washington’s poaching hot line at (877) 933-9847 or Fish and Wildlife’s Spokane office at (509) 892-1001.