Five Snow Geese Found Dead in Mount Vernon; Sarvey Wildlife Center Offers $5,000 Reward

Mount Vernon, WA – According to information released by Sarvey Wildlife Care Center, they received a call from a concerned citizen on Friday, March 2, 2018, stating that they (the concerned citizen) had just discovered five snow geese dead by the side of the road. The citizen believed that the geese had been shot and then dumped at this location. The geese were discovered at the I-5 NB exit 218, Starbird Road, near a patch of tall trees over the guardrail.

The snow geese were later brought to Sarvey Wildlife Care Center in Arlington for further examination. X-rays confirmed that the geese had been shot multiple times. Two were completely missing their heads, and the injuries to all were reported to be very grim. Sarvey also reported that it was clear, due the condition of the bodies, that the geese had been “freshly” killed.

Hunting season ended weeks ago for this species. Sarvey reported that the manner in which the geese were killed was cruel and senseless. Poaching of wildlife is a crime, thus Sarvey Wildlife Care Center is offering a $5000 reward for information leading to the successful prosecution of the perpetrator(s). They ask that anyone with accurate and timely information regarding this poaching incident contact the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife at (360) 902-2928 or the United States Department of Fish and Wildlife Service at (206) 902-2928.