| Reward | Discretionary (historically $250–$125,000) |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Federal — applies nationwide |
| Administered by | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service — Office of Law Enforcement |
| Legal authority | 16 U.S.C. § 3375(d) (Lacey Act); 16 U.S.C. § 1540(d) (ESA) |
| Fraud covered | Environmental & wildlife |
| Eligibility / shares | Information leading to arrest, conviction, civil penalty, or forfeiture. |
| Anonymous filing | No — Tips can be anonymous, but receiving a reward requires identifying yourself. |
| Attorney | Optional. Not required. |
| Status | Active; no percentage guarantees. |
Key takeaways
- Reward: Discretionary (historically $250–$125,000).
- Administered by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service — Office of Law Enforcement.
- Tips can be anonymous, but receiving a reward requires identifying yourself.
- You can file this one yourself — no attorney required.
- Information leading to arrest, conviction, civil penalty, or forfeiture.
How to report and claim your reward
- Submit a tip online at fws.gov/wildlife-crime-tips
- Or call 1-844-FWS-TIPS (1-844-397-8477)
- Discuss reward eligibility with the receiving agent
Track record
Fully discretionary; most awards $2,000–$5,000. Targets a $150B+ illegal wildlife/logging/fishing industry.
Good to know
For import-declaration fraud on wildlife or timber, the FCA or customs moiety may pay much more.
Anonymity: Tips can be anonymous, but receiving a reward requires identifying yourself.
Should you talk to a whistleblower attorney first?
Not strictly required here — you can file on your own.
Statistically, represented whistleblowers recover awards far more often than unrepresented ones, and reporting through the wrong channel — or second — can forfeit your reward entirely. Because whistleblower attorneys work on contingency, a consultation costs nothing.
Last verified: July 4, 2026 against official government sources. Program rules change — always confirm on the official site before filing.