Warning: Graphic images
Members of the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations on Vancouver Island are offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever slaughtered eight elk.
UPDATE: Dec. 9 – One more elk has been confirmed killed since the reward was offered.
The First Nation cites the following incidents:
- The shooting of a cow elk near the Flora Lake mainline road southwest of Port Alberni, on or about April 11, 2013 and the subsequent abandonment of the entire elk carcass.
- The shooting of a spike bull elk near the Flora Lake mainline (10 kilometer mark) road southwest of Port Alberni, on or about October 28, 2013 and the subsequent abandonment of most of the elk carcass.
- The shooting of one spike bull elk and one mature bull elk near the Bamfield Mainline (35km) near Franklin camp turn, southwest of Port Alberni, on or about November 9, 2013 and the subsequent abandonment of an entire elk carcass and only the partial harvesting of the other elk.
- The shooting of one mature bull elk, two cow elk and one yearling elk near the Klanawa Mainline, southwest of Port Alberni and on or about November 13, 2013. These elk appear to have been professionally butchered.
The First Nation is also seeking information on the reported killing of two antlerless elk in the upper Nahmint in the summer of 2013.
If you have information you would like to share, you can call the Report All Poachers and Polluters Tip Line at 1-877-952-RAPP (7277), or Chief Councillor Hugh Braker at 250-735-9888 or 250-720-7998.
The maximum penalty for a first offence conviction under the B.C. Wildlife Act is $50,000 or imprisonment for a term of six months, or both.
The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council is made up of 14 First Nations from the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Warning: Graphic images
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