Boise Zoo manager Dave Wayne is convinced his largest mule deer was killed and hauled away by a desperate hunter.
Wayne said the five-point, 200-pound buck was a target because it was deer season and the animal was larger than six others in the same pen."I don't know if the guy is a lousy hunter," Wayne said. "At this point, I haven't got any leads. We are doing what we can."
The buck was taken from the zoo either this past Friday night or Saturday morning. Someone cut through two security fences, killed the tame deer and hauled it away. Authorities found blood and marks on the ground where the deer was dragged.
Since then, rewards totaling nearly $2,000 have been posted for information leading to the arrest of the person who took the animal.
Boise police reported Wednesday they had no new information about the zoo poacher. Ada County Prosecuting Attorney Greg Bower said if the deer is valued at more than $150, a felony charge of grand theft could be made. Anything less would constitute petty theft, a misdemeanor.
Wayne said the buck is worth much more than $150; an animal dealer once offered the zoo $1,200 for him.