WARNING: A picture of the elk shown at the end of this story may be disturbing for some people. Viewer discretion is advised.

WAR FORK, Va. — A $6,000 reward is being offered for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the killing of an elk in southwestern Virginia.

Conservation officers with the Department of Wildlife Resources discovered the elk at War Fork, in Buchanan County, back on Dec. 31.

War Fork is the area where Virginia elk restoration efforts began in 2012. The carcass was found roughly 300 yards from the original release site.

Officers said the elk was shot several times, and efforts had been made to remove its head and neck. Officials believe it was killed a week before it was discovered.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, SWVA Sportsmen and Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation have teamed up to provide the reward.

Anyone with information about the case can report it by calling the Wildlife Crime tip line at (800) 237-5712, by emailing WildCrime@dwr.virginia.gov, or by texting DWRTIP to 847411.