JACKSON COUNTY (WLUK) -- One of the elk transplanted to Wisconsin to establish a herd was illegally shot, the Department of Natural Resources says. The death was reported March 18. The animal was ...

The elk was part of a reintroduction program and contributed significantly to the herd's growth. The Wisconsin DNR is seeking information from the public regarding the poaching incident.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources needs the public’s help to gather information on the illegal killing of a bull elk in Jackson County.

The bull carried a massive 8 by 7 rack and was a primary breeder in the state's central elk herd, according to the DNR. It was among the animals transferred to Wisconsin from Kentucky in 2016.

“The illegal shooting of bull 244 is a tremendous loss for the central elk herd and citizens of Wisconsin. The illegal harvest of a bull of this magnitude reduces opportunity to the hunting ...

It was the last remaining elk brought from Kentucky in 2016 and served as one of the primary breeding bulls for the herd in central Wisconsin. "The illegal harvest of a bull of this magnitude ...

While this devastation may have negative impacts on nesting birds like eagles and owls, it could bring more food for animals on the ground like Michigan’s wild elk herds. Pigeon River Country ...

“The illegal shooting of bull 244 is a tremendous loss for the central elk herd and citizens of Wisconsin,” WDNR central elk herd biologist Christina Kizewski said. in a statement.