The Maine Warden Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are offering a reward up to $5,500 for information on the recent illegal killings of two Canada lynx in northern Oxford and Aroostook counties, according to a statement.

Other groups are also offering rewards in the two cases, for a total of $11,000.

The Canada lynx is listed as a threatened species under the Federal Endangered Species Act, and the unlawful killing of a Canada lynx carries a maximum fine of up to $100,000 and/or a maximum imprisonment of one year.

The first case occurred near Portage Lake in T14 R7. The remains of the lynx were found Nov. 17 alongside a logging road that connects the Hewes Brook and Wilderness Island roads. The lynx, which had been shot, was found caught in a legally-set foot trap.

The second case occurred near Aziscohos Lake in western Maine on or about Nov. 15, when a lynx that had been tagged with a GPS tracking collar as part of an Inland Fisheries and Wildlife study was believed to have been shot and killed with a rifle about seven miles north of the intersection of Parnachenee Road and Route 16. The lynx had been wearing the tracking collar since 2015.

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife biologists are in the midst of a three-year Canada lynx study that will provide an updated lynx population estimate that will reflect the increasing range and number of lynx in Maine. A 2006 Canada lynx population survey by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife estimated the population 750 to 1,000 adult lynx in their core range of northern Maine.

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The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has estimated that Canada lynx are increasing in population and expanding their range in Maine. Vehicle accidents involving Canada lynx, sightings and verified lynx tracks are increasing in number and location.

Eleven Canada lynx, a record number, have been killed by vehicles in 2016.

Maine Operation Game Thief is offering a $2,500 reward ($5,000 total) to anyone with information that leads to a conviction for the persons responsible for killing either of the Canada lynx. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering an additional reward of up to $2,500 ($5,000 total) to any person who furnishes information that leads to a conviction in either case. Additionally, the Maine Trappers Association will add a $500 reward to any person ($1,000 total) who can provide information that leads to a conviction in either case. The total reward amount has reached $11,000.

Anyone with information about either incident is urged to call Maine Operation Game Thief at 1-800-ALERT-US (207-287-6057). Tips can be made anonymously. People may also call Public Safety Dispatch in Bangor at 1-800-432-7381 (207-973-3700).

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