Illegally Killed Ram Will Aid Conservation

The head of a trophy bighorn sheep that had been killed illegally has has been donated by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Department to help raise funds for wildlife conservation.

The skull and horns, displayed in an attractive glass case, will join African hunts, regional guide services and other items for auction at the annual fund-raising banquet for the Spokane Chapter of Safari Club International.

The event is set for Saturday at the Sheraton Hotel. Dinner begins at 7 p.m. followed by the live auction.

The ram was killed by a poacher along the Tucannon River in 1992. Department officials will offered the skull for auction, but the mount cannot be resold without permission.

Money from past fund-raisers has been used for wildlife habitat improvement projects, bighorn sheep relocations, sending students and teachers to conservation camps and a program that gets handicapped hunters into the field, said chapter spokesman Bill Nerud.

Tickets cost $25. Info: John Cook, 238-9180.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Compiled from staff and wire reports