Reward for whooping crane killer tips reaches $15,000

There’s now a $15,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the dead-eye who shot a mated pair of endangered whooping cranes, killing the female and seriously injuring the male.
Contributors to the reward fund include zoos in Florida, Louisiana, and Massachusetts and Operation Migration, which uses ultralight planes to teach young cranes a Wisconsin-to-Florida migration route.
The birds were shot Feb. 7 at a crawfish pond near this Jefferson Davis Parish community.
They were a mated pair. Biologists were encouraged when the birds made practice nests last year.
The male is recovering after surgery at the Louisiana State University veterinary hospital in Baton Rouge, according to a Wildlife & Fisheries spokesman.
Whooping cranes are among the world’s largest and rarest birds. Only about 600 are alive, all descended from fewer than 20 birds.
State and federal biologists have been trying since early 2011 to create a flock in southwest Louisiana by releasing birds raised in captivity. Fifty cranes have been released in four groups. The female’s death leaves 32.
Predators killed some; some had natural health problems; people with guns have killed four and wounded one.
Tips can be called to 1-800-442-2511 or texted to tip411, either with a free “LADWF Tips” app or by texting LADWF and their tip to 847411.