The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is investigating the killing of three trumpeter swans in Sioux County.
Conservation officer Josh Widhelm said the swans were found dead from gunshots near the junction of Nebraska Highway 29 and River Road, the entrance of Agate Fossil Beds National Monument along the Niobrara River.
The trumpeter swan is nongame species listed on the second tier of Nebraska’s at-risk wildlife. With an 8-foot wingspan, the white bird with a black bill, legs and feet, is North America’s largest species of waterfowl. The species was nearly driven to extinction in the early 20th century. Conservation efforts have been successful and the swans are again a fairly common migrant in areas of Nebraska in spring and fall, as well as a regular breeder primarily in the Sandhills.
Anyone with information that leads to prosecution for the crime may be eligible for a reward. People may remain anonymous by calling the Wildlife Crimestoppers hotline at 800-742-7627. They also may go online to report a violation at OutdoorNebraska.gov/conservation/wildlife-management/wildlife-crime-stoppers.