Additional contributions were received to bring the final total of the reward to $10,300.
Update: May 13, 2022
The reward for information surrounding the poaching of two cougar kittens on Vancouver Island has grown to a total of $10,000 due to concerned residents across British Columbia. The original reward of $1,000 was offered by The Fur-Bearers on May 6, 2022.
Last Friday, The Fur-Bearers announced a reward of $1,000 for information leading to the identification and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the recent illegal killing of two cougar kittens.
According to the BC Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS), the two kittens were killed sometime in the last week and found near Hill 60 Forest Service Road in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island. The paws and heads of both cougars were removed.
Since the original news release was issued, 10 individuals contacted The Fur-Bearers with requests to donate to increase the reward amount. They include $50 from Athena C., $100 from Christine P., $250 from Nellie P., $500 from E. Lefebvre, $1,000 from I. Voermann, $5,000 from K. Capozzi, and four anonymous donations.
“We are overwhelmed by the response of these individuals and the thousands of others who have shared our reward information and coverage of this poaching case,” says Aaron Hofman, Director of Advocacy and Policy for The Fur-Bearers. “It is a heartwarming reminder that the majority of British Columbians admire and respect our wildlife, and that we all agree there is no place for poaching in our communities.”
Donations received as part of this reward are held by The Fur-Bearers for two years, then rolled into our conservation, advocacy, research and education programs (including future rewards) if the reward is not paid out in that time. Our reward policy was updated in September 2022 (click here to view it). The current total of $10,000 is the largest The Fur-Bearers have offered as a reward in our 70-year history. We will not be taking further contributions for this reward at this time.
The original article (May 6, 2022) remains below.
Wildlife charity The Fur-Bearers is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the identification and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the recent illegal killing of two cougar kittens.
According to the BC Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS), the two kittens were killed sometime in the last week and found near Hill 60 Forest Service Road in the Cowichan Valley. The paws and heads of both cougars were removed.
“We’re hopeful that this reward will help prompt people who may have seen or heard something related to this case to contact the RAPP Line and provide information that can lead to a conviction of the person(s) responsible,” says Aaron Hofman, Director of Advocacy and Policy for The Fur-Bearers.
Information can be reported to the Report All Poachers and Polluters Line at 1-877-952-727 or by using the online form at https://forms.gov.bc.ca/environment/rapp/.
