© 2026. The Trustees of Indiana University
Copyright Complaints
1229 East Seventh Street, Bloomington, Indiana 47405
News, Arts and Culture from WFIU Public Radio and WTIU Public Television
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Reward In Death Of Endangered Whooping Crane Grows To $10K

The reward for information in Indiana's recent fatal shooting of an endangered whooping crane has grown to $10,000.

The 5-year-old female crane was found dead Jan. 3 near the Goose Pond State Fish and Wildlife Area, apparently killed by a high-powered rifle.

WTHI-TV reports local and national groups are now offering funds for information leading to an arrest in the rare bird's killing.

Operation Migration is offering $3,500 and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Friends of Goose Pond are offering $2,500 apiece. The International Crane Foundation and Indiana's Turn in a Poacher program have offered $1,500.

Whooping cranes are North America's tallest bird, standing 5 feet tall. Hunting and habitat loss cut their number to less than 20 in the 1940s, but that's grown to about 600.

Tags