Man charged with killing protected condor

BAKERSFIELD — The United States Attorney’s Office filed a two-count complaint against Matthew Paul Gumz, 39, of Barstow, charging him with taking a California condor in violation of both the Endangered Species Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

Gumz made his initial appearance today before United States Magistrate Judge Jennifer L. Thurston and entered pleas of not guilty to both charges.

According to court documents, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife received an anonymous tip of the death of a male juvenile California condor and a United States Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife Biologist located the dead condor, designated as Condor 780, on federal land in Kern County.

Condor 780 had a large distinctive green tag on its left wing with the large white numbers “80” on it. According to the complaint, it is alleged that on Sept. 30, 2016, Gumz was deer hunting in the Bean Canyon area, which is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. It is alleged that Gumz field dressed a deer and hung the meat in a tree. Upon returning to the area, it is alleged that Gumz saw condors and other birds near the carcass and meat, and that he shot and killed Condor 780 with a rifle.

The California condor is protected by the Endangered Species Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Condor 780 came from an egg laid at the World Center Birds of Prey in Boise Idaho and was fostered in the wild by condors in a monitored nest located in Southern California. The nest was managed by the Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge as part of the Condor Recovery Program.

If convicted, Gumz faces a maximum statutory penalty of up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine for the Endangered Species Act violation and up to six months incarceration and a fine of $15,000 for the Migratory Bird Treaty Act violation. Additionally, the court can order restitution and order the forfeiture of the firearm used in the offense.