JACKSON COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is asking for the public's help to find out who illegally killed a bull elk in central Wisconsin. The DNR says the animal was one of the last remaining elk originally brought from Kentucky in 2016 and has served as one of the primary breeding bulls for the Central Elk Herd.

DNR staff says they received a report of a dead elk on the morning of Tuesday, March 18 in Jackson County. The elk was located off East Snow Creek Road and on private property north of the city of Black River Falls where department staff were conducting elk capture efforts to radio-collar and relocate a small group of elk.

Following an investigation, it was determined the bull had died from injuries sustained from a gunshot wound.

The DNR sways the bull, known as #244, was wearing a GPS radio collar which, along with nearby cellular trail cameras, has provided investigators detailed information related to the illegal shooting.

“The illegal shooting of bull 244 is a tremendous loss for the central elk herd and citizens of Wisconsin. The illegal harvest of a bull of this magnitude reduces opportunity to the hunting community and to recreationalists attempting to photograph or see elk within Jackson County,” said Christina Kizewski, central elk herd biologist. "Bull 244 was one of the largest and most photographed bulls in the state and has contributed to the successful growth of the newly established herd through his breeding efforts."

The DNR asks the public to share any information – no matter how small it may seem – with the DNR’s confidential Violation Hotline online or by calling 1-800-847-9367.