PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Photos of the deceased otter are not being published due to their graphic nature.

LINCOLN COUNTY, Ore. — Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division troopers are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying who is responsible for the unlawful shooting of a river otter at Thissel Pond

On May 6, troopers responded to a report of a deceased river otter floating in the popular trout fishing pond located near the Oregon Hatchery Research Center on Fall Creek Road in eastern Lincoln County. Investigators determined the male otter had been shot with a small-caliber bullet sometime between April 26 and May 3.

The killing constitutes an unlawful take of protected wildlife.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Oregon State Police Dispatch at 1-800-452-7888, dial *OSP (*677) from a cell phone, or email [email protected]. Please reference case number SP26-146568.

Tips can be submitted anonymously through the Turn In Poachers (TIP) program, a partnership between the Oregon State Police, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Hunters Association and other conservation groups. The program offers cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or citation in wildlife violation cases, including furbearers such as river otters.

River otters are protected under Oregon law. Unlawful take, possession or waste of wildlife can result in citations, fines and loss of hunting or fishing privileges.

Troopers continue to investigate the case and are encouraging anyone who may have seen suspicious activity in the Thissel Pond area during late April or early May to come forward.