DOW and Donor Offer Reward in Emma Bear Shooting

9/19/2007
Colorado Division of Wildlife

An anonymous donor and the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) have teamed up to offer a $1,500 reward for information that leads to the person responsible for the illegal killing of a black bear near the town of Emma in Pitkin County. A Pitkin County resident has stepped forward to offer a $1,000 reward in this case. Operation Game Thief, the DOW’s anti-poaching tip line, is offering a $500 reward.

The case involves a female bear found dead at the base of a tree near the Rio Grande Trail on Wednesday, Sept. 12. Based on the state of the carcass and witness interviews, investigating wildlife officers believe the bear was shot and killed during the evening hours of Friday, Sept. 7.

Two cubs were reported in the tree above where the sow was found. Wildlife managers from the DOW were successful in capturing one of the cubs and transporting it to a privately-run, non-profit wildlife rehabilitation center in Silt. The second cub has left the area and has not been located.

Wildlife officers are hopeful that someone in the area may have seen some suspicious activity. It is also possible that someone overheard another person talking about this crime.

If anyone has any information regarding this incident, please call the Glenwood Springs DOW Office at (970) 947-2920 or call the Operation Game Thief (OGT) hotline toll-free at 1(877) COLO-OGT (1-877-265-6648). OGT callers can remain anonymous and still receive cash rewards.

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Division of Wildlife