Last November, a Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep was illegally killed and left to waste on BLM land south of Baker City, Oregon. When officials responded to the call, Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Trooper Dakotah Keys discovered a headless ram lying near Hubbard Creek Road in an area that’s part of the Lookout Mountain Wildlife Management Unit, according to KTVZ News Channel 21.

It’s now been about four months since the initial discovery and investigators are still seeking answers. In an effort to help with public information that could lead to the arrest of the poacher, the Oregon Wild Sheep Foundation (OWSF) has added an additional $2,000 to the cash reward. Now, along with monies from the Oregon Hunters Association ($2,000) and the Oregon Wildlife Coalition ($500), the total reward offered is $4,500.

“It’s so hard to believe that someone would shoot and waste such an amazing animal,” said OWSF President Kevin Martin. “The Lookout Mountain herd of bighorn sheep is an area Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Wild Sheep Foundation, Oregon WSF and our partners have been focusing a lot of resources to understand what has caused the ongoing loss of animals and this criminal act just adds to that loss.”

Only about 800 Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep live in the northeast corner of the state in canyons around the Snake River and its tributaries as well as the alpine areas of the Wallowa Mountains, according to KTVZ News Channel 21. Poaching a bighorn sheep brings a fine of up to $10,000 and hunting license suspension as well as forfeiture of the firearm used for the crime and any wildlife parts kept.

“Not only are poaching acts like this considered theft of a public resource highly valued by all Oregonians, including hunters and non-hunters,” said Don Whittaker, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife ungulate coordinator. “It undermines the long-term effort to restore and conserve this iconic species on Oregon’s landscape for future Oregonians yet to come.”

Tips can be phoned in anonymously at 1-800-452-7888, *OSP (*677) or can be emailed at TIP@osp.oregon.gov.

“The lack of respect for an animal that represents the beauty, strength and wild lands of Oregon is just sad,” said Martin. “Add to that the loss for all of Oregonians the opportunity to see and interact with an animal, that has been stolen from all of us.”