Arizona Game and Fish looking for suspect who poured fuel in water tank

PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is looking for a suspect who contaminated a water catchment in the northern part of the state.

The agency said in a press release that someone poured diesel fuel or gasoline into Young Canyon’s Trick Tank, about 14 miles northeast of Flagstaff, around Sept. 15.

“It’s our hope that someone may have observed suspicious behavior or may have had a game camera in the area that may provide crucial evidence,” Erin Brown, AZGFD wildlife manager, said in the release.

The suspect may have taken down fencing to gain access to the catchment, which is meant to provide water for wildlife in dry regions, according to the release.

“This incident is incredibly disappointing because these catchments provide water for all wildlife when natural water sources are not available — especially given this year’s limited monsoon rainfall,” Brown said.

“Sportsmen, along with the department, have spent so much labor, money and time improving water availability for wildlife and it’s tragic that someone chose to vandalize this water catchment.”

Anyone with information about the incident was asked to call the AZGFD vandalism hotline at 1-800-826-3257.

The Arizona Elk Society is offering up to $2,500 for information leading to an arrest.

The agency maintains about 3,000 catchments throughout the state and has distributed more than 1.5 million gallons of water since January 2018.

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