Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is currently investigating a distressing case of poaching in Taylor Canyon near Almont, Colorado. A female mountain lion, part of a critical CPW study, was found shot and left in bushes near the group campsites at Gunnison City Mountain Park, as reported by CBS News Colorado. The incident, which seemingly took place outside the legal hunting season, has sparked a search for answers and has CPW officials urging the public to come forward with any potentially illuminating information.
In what appears to be a blatant disregard for wildlife laws, the mountain lion was killed just days before the opening of the lawful hunting season. Codi Prior, CPW District Wildlife Manager, emphasized the need for community assistance in this case, stating, "We are looking for leads or information anyone might have that could assist us with this investigation," according to Denver7. Someone not only killed this valuable creature but also disposed of her carcass unceremoniously, where it was later found.
The slaughtered lion was previously tagged and monitored as part of CPW's mountain lion density study in the Gunnison Basin, a project aiming to understand population dynamics and inform hunting regulations, as reported by The Denver Gazette. This illegal act undermines the conservation efforts and the scientific research that depend on the survival of these studied animals.
CPW has appealed to people with any knowledge pertaining to the parties responsible for this reprehensible crime to reach out. Prior can be contacted at 970-641-7075 or through email at [email protected]. The Gunnison wildlife office is also available at 970-641-7060 for information being shared. In the meantime, a study by the Boone and Crockett Club pointed out the substantial impact of poaching on conservation efforts and economies, with an estimated 96% of incidents going undetected and financial losses amounting to around $1.4 billion each year, indicating that poaching is far from being a victimless crime.
