A rare sight for Indiana bird watchers just became more scarce

Conservation holding the dead body of a whooping crane — Indiana Conservation Officer Phil Nale holds a male whooping crane found shot to death in Jackson County. That leaves only 103 of the birds that migrate through the county flyway each year. photo taken by Aubrey Woods courtesy http://www.tribtown.com

An endangered whooping Crane was recently found shot dead in the area of the Muscatatuck River basin in Jackson County on December 30.

Jim Schreck with DNR Law Enforcement says conservation officers believe the shooting was not an accident.

The 5ft tall whooping crane is a federally endangered species, and only approximately 500 exist nation-wide and no where else in the world. Indiana is in the heart of the crane’s migration route.

This is not the first time a crane has been shot in Indiana. Another fatal incident was reported in 2009 in Vermillion County.

Every whooping crane is banded and/or fitted with a radio transmitter. Their numbers are threatened due to habitat loss, pollution, and occasionally, illegal hunting.

A monetary reward is being offered for any information leading to prosecution of the responsible parties. Anyone with information of the shooting should call the Indiana DNR’s 24-hour hotline at 1-800-TIP IDNR (800-847-4367).