CHADRON, Neb. (AP) — Officials with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission are looking for the person who shot and killed a female mountain lion south of Chadron in western Nebraska.

The agency says the wild cat was shot illegally and its carcass left in the Pine Ridge National Forest.

The agency says someone hunting in the area last week reported finding the mountain lion, which was estimated to be between a year and 2 years old. A news release from the agency says officials immediately opened an investigation and have collected evidence at the scene.

Investigators believe the animal was shot in either late November or early December.

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to call Game and Parks or the Nebraska Wildlife Crime Stoppers at 1-800-742-7627.