Reward offered after great blue heron found shot in Hollister

A wildlife rescue organization is offering a $5000 award in the case of a great blue heron found injured in Hollister.

The bird was found Oct. 27, and medical examinations revealed the bird had been shot with pellets from an air rifle.

The bird was found off of Glenview Drive, near the Ridgemark community, Wildlife Emergency Services said.

Herons frequent open fields where they prey on gophers, ground squirrels and snakes. They are also found near ponds and creeks where they prey on fish. Although these birds are naturally shy of people, they have been known to land in backyards that have shallow fish ponds.

Wildlife Emergency Services notified authorities of the injured bird and are offering an award of $5,050 for information leading o the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for this crime.

Report information confidentially through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife CalTip line at 1-888-334-2258 or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 650-876-9078.