CEDAR CITY, Utah (ABC4) — In the last couple of years, two condors have been found shot and killed in southern Utah — which is a loss of about 2% of the region’s population.
The first California condor was found killed in 2022, and the most recent one was killed at the beginning of last month, according to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. For the critically endangered species, the loss of even two birds makes a big difference.
In the 1980s there were only 22 California condors in the wild. Since then, conservationists have worked to move them off the brink of extinction. DWR officials say there are now more than 560 condors globally and 85 in the northern Arizona and southern Utah region.
“They’ve increased, but not at a huge number. So the fact that we’ve lost two of these to somebody shooting them in the last two years, that’s literally 2% of the [region’s] population,” said DWR Captain Chad Bettridge. “I mean, it’s serious.”
In addition to the shootings, there was also a rise in avian influenza last year which took a hit on the population.
DWR Avian Conservation Program Coordinator Russell Norvell said between the shootings and avian influenza, they have “lost more than a decade’s worth of progress in the recovery of this species.”
Bettridge said they are investigating the two shooting incidents together since the birds were both found in the area between Kolob Mountain and Zion National Park.
DWR law enforcement has been following leads on the wildlife shooting, but Bettridge said they have “not panned out.” They are now asking the public for any information they might have regarding the death of the condors.
“As far as wildlife-related crimes go, it doesn’t get a lot more serious than this just because of the circumstance regarding the bird,” Bettridge said.
Because the bird is protected on a state and federal level, anyone convicted of killing a California condor in Utah would face both federal and state charges. Penalties could include up to a $5,000 fine, a $1,500 restitution fee, and a five-year prison sentence.
However, Bettridge said he is hoping the shooting was an accident and is asking the person responsible to speak with them.
“I don’t think somebody would shoot this bird because it was predating on their livestock or anything like that ’cause that’s not normal for condors,” he said. “So you know it’s possible someone just saw this huge bird and was interested what it was. If it was a simple mistake like that please reach out to us.”
If anyone has information or was in the area around June 4, 5, and 6 and saw something notable, officials say to call 800-662-337 or 844-397-8477, text 847411, or contact them through the Tip 411 app. A reward may be available for information leading to a conviction.
“We take this serious and we’re trying as hard as we can to find out who did it, we just need a little help,” Bettridge said.
