Sunriver swan shooting reward grows to $2,500

The Sunriver Nature Center and Observatory announced Wednesday an increase in the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for illegally shooting the well-known trumpeter swan, Chuck, on Thanksgiving Day. The reward total is now $2,500.

The Trumpeter Swan Society has offered an additional $500 for the reward. The organization is based in Plymouth, MN and works across North America on assuring the vitality and welfare of wild Trumpeter Swans.

The Oregon Hunters Association Bend Chapter has also added $500 to the reward fund. The mission of the association is “protecting Oregon’s wildlife, habitat and hunting heritage.”

Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to call the Sunriver Police at 541-593-1014.

Sunriver police Sgt. Joe Patnode told NewsChannel 21 late Wednesday there have been no major developments in the investigation, despite several police and volunteer searches for evidence.

“Just as we identified another area that we believe might yield some evidence — three inches of snow” fell, Patnode said. “We have been delayed for more searching until the conditions make that possible.”