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Reward for Information about Death of Bull Elk Grows

Missouri Dept. of Conversation

The reward is growing for information in the death of a bull elk that was found mutilated in southeastern Missouri.

The Conservation Federation of Missouri matched a $1,000 reward offered by Operation Game Thief and then began receiving more donations from businesses and individuals. Federation executive director Brandon Butler says the reward hit the $4,340 mark earlier this week.

Butler told the Springfield News-Leader (http://sgfnow.co/1OxDzwb) that people are "outraged." The elk was discovered Dec. 29 in Shannon County with its skull plate and antlers removed with a chain saw.

Missouri elk were wiped out by hunters and habitat loss in the late 1800s. The mutilated animal was among about 130 elk that are a part of the state Conservation Department's efforts to restore the population.

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