Yellowstone rangers seek poacher

Yellowstone Park rangers have determined a bull elk was illegally shot sometime between Sept. 11 and Sept. 21 inside the park’s southern boundary. The park is asking for public health to identify those responsible for illegally retrieving the carcass.

The shooting happened behind the Wyoming Game and Fish patrol cabin along Thorofare Creek. Hunting is not permitted within the park and the Lacey Act and the Code of Federal Regulations prohibit the killing or removal of any animal from inside Yellowstone. The law includes animals shot legally outside the park that cross into and die within the park boundary. The taking and removing of any animal parts, including shed antlers, is also prohibited.

Anyone with information is requested to contact the Lake Ranger station at 307-344-2403, or call the Tip Line at 307-344-2132. In some cases a cash reward is offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone illegally using firearms in the park or illegally killing or transporting wildlife in the park.