The Lower Similkameen Indian Band has condemned an act of poaching that left an animal to die of its injuries in a protected area.

Members of the band's guardian unit discovered an ungulate that had been injured by a poacher in the backcountry of the Similkameen Protected Area.

The Chief, council, members and staff at the LSIB have all condemned the act.

"Not only was the animal gravely hurt, but it鈥檚 believed to have struggled, and was at a time when the animal would already have been very stressed because of the current environmental situation," reads a press release from the band. "This animal was not harvested, was not taken at a healthy time, and was blatantly left to fight for its life."

The band states that not only did the poacher violate syilx law and the traditions and system of honouring animals for their sustenance and contribution to the ecosystem, but statutory laws in place to protect animals and the area.

The band is supporting the BC Conservation Officer Service in investigating the incident. 

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to call the RAPP-line at 877-952-RAPP (7277).

If you have information but wish to remain anonymous call CrimeStoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477) and quote Conservation Service File # 2024-4120.