Maine Game Wardens are offering $3,000 for information about the illegal killing of a Canada lynx.

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife says game wardens found the animal dead on Wednesday along Mouse Island Road in Perham.

The lynx had been shot and killed within about 24 hours of its discovery.

The wildlife service says the shooting of the federally protected animal was unnecessary and a federal offense, with the animal left to waste.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Operation Game Thief at 1-800-ALERT-US or leaving a tip online at maineogt.org.