YAKIMA — Wildlife officials are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man believed to have information about the illegal shooting of rare woodpeckers in central Washington.
The Yakima Herald-Republic reports at least two black-backed woodpeckers were shot near Rimrock Lake in April. The birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokesman Brent Lawrence says the birds were a breeding pair part of a research project.
The unknown man officials are seeking was captured on scientists’ video camera walking in front of the tree where the birds nested.
