State conservation police are searching for two men suspected of poisoning streams on the Big Island and killing hundreds of Tahitian prawns.

The first suspect is a described as in his mid-20s, around 5-feet, 6-inches tall and 135 pounds with black hair. The second is described as being in the mid-30s, 5-feet, 8-inches tall and 145 pounds with black hair and a short ponytail, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

DLNR’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement is asking for the public’s help in identifying the men, who were caught on surveillance cameras on Oct. 1 about 10 a.m. at the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, in the Papaikou/Pepeekeo area and Alakahi Stream where it crosses the Old Mamalahoa Highway.

Authorities say the men were caught sneaking into the garden and later re-­entered the property under a security fence that crossed over a stream. Staff found the dead prawns the following day and later an empty bottle of pesticide.

DLNR issued a warning last May for consumers to avoid purchasing prawns from roadside stands or from vendors who do not disclose where their prawns are from. People in the community have said they became sick after eating the prawns, though there is no concrete evidence of that, the agency said.

Authorities haven’t been able to gather enough evidence to prosecute previous suspects. Prior to the most recent incident, officers caught men hauling 50-pound bags of prawns from East Hawaii waterways.

Poisoning streams or rivers is a Class C felony in Hawaii. If you have tips on the suspects, contact the statewide tip line at 643-3567.