Another Cooper’s hawk has been killed illegally in the Tucson area — the second one in the past month — and state wildlife officials are offering a $500 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case.

The hawk, which may have been killed with a pellet or BB gun, was found Wednesday at Purple Heart Park near South Houghton Road and East Rita Road, said Mark Hart, spokesman for the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

The first dead Cooper’s hawk was recovered on Sept. 7 in the Picture Rocks area northwest of Tucson. That hawk was killed with a 5-inch-long dart. A reward of $700, including contributions from citizens, is offered in that case.

“This is the second time this month a poacher has stolen wildlife from the citizens of Arizona by illegally killing a Cooper’s hawk,” said Raul Vega, regional supervisor of Game and Fish in Tucson. “This is not only a state crime, but a violation of the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act as well.”

Wildlife officials said that illegal taking of wildlife is punishable by up to a $750 fine and six months in jail under state law. Violations of the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act are punishable by a maximum fine of $15,000 or imprisonment of up to six months.

People with information about the case are asked to contact Operation Game Thief at 1-800-352-0700.


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Contact reporter Doug Kreutz at dkreutz@tucson.com or at 573-4192. On Twitter: @DouglasKreutz