Federal investigators are offering a $2,500 reward for information about an investigation into the theft of the eggs of an endangered species at Hampton Beach State Park.

New Hampshire Fish and Game reported that both they and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement are investigating the theft of four piping plover eggs from Hampton Beach in early May.

According to a Fish and Game statement, a pair of piping plovers established a nest in early May and biologists set up a protective fence to keep predators out.  However, shortly after the fence was built, it was vandalized and the four plover eggs were stolen.

  (Photo courtesy of Foster's Daily Democrat)

The incident took place during the night of May 6 or the morning of May 7 at Hampton Beach State Park. Witnesses in the area described a possible suspect as a white male in his late 40s to mid 50s, approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall with a thin build and grayish, salt-and-pepper hair and driving a gold or tan Toyota, possibly a Camry or Corolla, according to the Fish and Game statement.

"Our goal is to get the birds to nest and have the chicks hatch and fledge as soon as possible each spring so that we can take down the fencing and open up the whole beach for people to use as the weather gets warmer," said Susi von Oettingen, a biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "When vandalism like this occurs, it actually extends the breeding season, because now the birds have to start over and lay a new nest."

If the eggs from the first nest had hatched, the chicks would have been able to fly by the end of June and the beach would have been completely open for the July 4 holiday, she said.

The theft sparked an investigation because the birds, and their eggs, are protected by both state and federal endangered species laws, the statement says.

"This is a violation of the U.S. Endangered Species Act and is taken very seriously," said von Oettingen. "The vandalism indicates that it could have been intentional and a willful violation. Each stolen egg counts as a separate violation. If it was intentional and the person was caught and convicted, a fine of up to $25,000 for each egg taken and a sentence for up to six months in prison or both could be levied."

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading into an arrest, criminal conviction, civil penalty assessment, or forfeiture of property in the case.

If anyone has any information about the incident, please contact the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement at (617) 889-6616.

New Hampshire is part of a regional program aimed at protecting the species. In addition to the two pairs of plovers on Hampton Beach, two more pairs are residing on Seabrook Beach.

Reference: