Friends of Aransas has pledged $5000 to a reward fund for information in the death of a whooping crane found dead January 4th in Aransas Bay. Through pledges, Friends of Aransas,  International Crane Foundation, San Antonio Bay Foundation,  Aransas Bird and Nature Club, Audubon Texas, & Whooping Crane Conservation Association will offer a combined amount of $14,000. Added to the $2500 offered by the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and $1000 by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, the total reward will be $17,500. 

The reward will be issued if the death of the whooping crane is determined to be a criminal act and the information provided leads to the criminal conviction of the person(s) responsible. Anyone with information about the whooping crane’s death is urged to come forward. Information can be provided to the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Houston Office of Law Enforcement at (281) 876-1520, or Operation Game Thief at 1-800-792-GAME (4263). Callers may remain anonymous.