DALLAS — The Dallas Zoo is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to arrest and indictment of the person responsible for the death of the lappet-faced vulture, Pin.

According to the zoo, Pin lived at the zoo for 30 years. He sired 11 offspring that have gone off to live at wildlife parks and zoos across the nation. 

Lappet-faced vultures are endangered species and may move to critically endangered in the next few years. Zoo officials said these vultures might go extinct in our lifetime, and there are only about 6500 of this species left on earth.

During a press conference, Dallas Zoo CEO Greg Hudson said they deemed Pin’s autopsy unusual and suspicious. The zoo announced on Sunday its staff found Pin in the Wilds of Africa habitats dead.

The Dallas Police Department is working with the zoo to boost its security measures while the investigation into the vulture death, and two other incidents are underway.

Prior to the three incidents, the zoo had about 100 cameras, but it has substantially increased camera coverage, including portable solar tower units lent from DPD. According to Hudson, the zoo has more than doubled security on grounds overnight and increased staff presence for overnight shifts. It is also limiting access for some animals to go outdoors during overnight hours.

The zoo says it will continue to ensure the safety of animals, staff and those who live nearby.

Currently, investigators are looking to see if this death is related to previous incidents. Earlier in January, Dallas Zoo reported a missing clouded leopard from its habitat and had to close its doors for a day to locate the animal. The zoo located the leopard later that day near her original habitat and it was safely secured. Upon investigation, police found a fence to her habitat had been cut.

Shortly after the leopard incident, the zoo and Dallas police found another similar hole cut in the fence of one of their monkey species habitat. No monkeys escaped or were harmed.

The zoo has increased cameras throughout its campus as well as heightened its onsite security patrols during the overnight hours. It says it will continue to expand its safety and security measures to best protect their animals and staff.

Besides DPD, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife has been called in to help with the investigation. Anyone with information can call the animal cruelty unit at 214-670-7694.