Game and Fish offering reward after another hawk illegally killed

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - The Arizona Game and Fish Department is offering a reward of $250 for information leading to an arrest after a Harris hawk was killed in the Tucson area.

This is the third hawk that has been illegally killed since Sept. 7, according to a news release.

The first two were Cooper's hawks and were found dead near Picture Rocks and at Purple Heart Park near south Houghton Road and east Rita Road.

[READ: Second Cooper's hawk illegally killed in Tucson]

One of those was killed with a dart.

This time the hawk was found in the Canyon Del Oro wash in Catalina around 6:30 p.m. Saturday near north Lago Del Oro and east Wilds Road.

Game and Fish says it appears it was shot in the head.

Poaching in Arizona is punishable by up to a $750 fine and six months in jail. Killing hawks is also a federal offense. AZGFD officials say it's in violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which protects a long list of birds, including hawks.

Jennie MacFarland, conservation biologist with Tucson Audubon Society said killing hawks could have economic and environmental consequences as well.

She said hawks are an important part of the ecosystem here in Arizona and they're also a big part of what makes southern Arizona rich with different variety of birds. MacFarland said birding brings in big money to the state as well.

"Birding brings in $1.4 billion of economic impact to the state every year. And hawks are a part of what visitors are coming to see. We have a very unique suite of birds that you can find in southeast Arizona that you can't find anywhere else in the United States," MacFarland said.

If anyone knows anything about this case, they should call Operation Game Thief at 1-800-352-0700 and reference OGT#16-003653.

They can call 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week and can be anonymous.

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