CRESCENT CITY, California – Redwood National and State Park rangers and California Department of Fish and Wildlife are seeking information on the illegal killing of four elk within Redwood National Park. No meat was removed from the four elk, and lead shot was used to shoot the animals.
According to a press release form the national park, rangers were notified of the dead animals near the Williams Ridge area along Bald Hills Road on July 21. The killing was done within Redwood National Park, where hunting is illegal on both a state and federal level. Additionally, the lead shot used to kill the elk poses a lead poisoning risk for free-flying California condors.
“The Yurok Tribe, in partnership with Redwood National and State Parks and other agencies including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Parks and Recreation, reintroduced California condors to the region two years ago. Poaching and illegal game killing pose a grave danger to the birds.“
Those with any information related to the killing are encouraged to call 707-465-7751 or, if they wish to remain anonymous, call CDFW’s CalTip line at 1-888-334-CalTIP (888-334-2258) or call the park’s anonymous crime tip line at 707-765-7353.
“Roosevelt elk in California persist today only in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties and western Siskiyou County. Tourists from all over the world and Californians alike enjoy the opportunity to see Roosevelt elk within their historical home range at Redwood National and State Parks. Park rangers are committed to protecting these amazing animals and urge the public to help them in this effort.“
