Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officers are needing additional information from the public regarding the illegal killing of a mountain lion that was left in Taylor Canyon northeast of Almont, Colorado.

CPW responded Friday when a report came in of a mountain lion carcass near the group campsites at Gunnison City Mountain Park, CPW said in a statement Sunday. A female mountain lion, that had been shot through the chest, had been left in bushes.

“We are looking for leads or information anyone might have that could assist us with this investigation,” CPW District Wildlife Manager Codi Prior. “Somebody killed this lion and then dumped its carcass in the place said where it was discovered.”

The mountain lion had previously been part of CPW’s mountain lion density study in the Gunnison Basin, CPW said.

CPW believes the lion was poached out of season, as the carcass was discovered three days before the start of legal mountain lion hunting season in Colorado. All wildlife killed in self defense should immediately be reported to the nearest CPW office.

CPW is asking the public for any information regarding the parties responsible for the killing of this mountain lion. Prior can be reached at 970-641-7075 or at codi.prior@state.co.us. The CPW Gunnison wildlife office can be reached at 970-641-7060.

To provide information anonymously, the public can contact Operation Game Thief by phone at 877-265-6648 or by email at game.thief@state.co.us.