A $2,600 reward has been offered by a wildlife rehabilitation facility in the search for a suspect who shot and killed a sandhill crane in a forest preserve near Lake Villa.
Non-profit organization Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation said that the incident occurred on the morning of May 15.
An unknown person shot the crane in the area of the Sun Lake Forest Preserve, located at 22925 West Grass Lake Road in Lake Villa.
The crane, which is a large bird, died due to its injuries, according to Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation.
The non-profit called the situation “absolutely heartbreaking,” saying that the crane was a mated pair and the mate was with the injured crane when workers rescued it.
Donors have come forward and donated $2,600 to Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation to establish the reward.
The money will be given to whoever helps identify the suspect, leading to an arrest and conviction.
In Illinois, sandhill cranes are protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Illinois Wildlife Code. They are not allowed to be captured, hunted, harmed or killed.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is investigating the incident and anyone with tips is asked to call them at 877-236-7529.
Those with information can also send a private message to the Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation’s Facebook page.