An investigation has been launched after a four-week old kitten was thrown from a moving vehicle on Highway 22X east of Calgary.

The kitten was found in a ditch near Strathmore at about 3 p.m. on Wednesday.

Workers from a nearby farm said they saw the animal being thrown from the passenger side window of an older-model red minivan.

The kitten was taken to a veterinarian in Airdire, but it could not be saved, officials said.

An autopsy revealed the kitten died of injuries consistent with being tossed from a vehicle.

Crossfield peace officer Jeff Richards is investigating the incident.

Edna Jackson, the owner of Tails to Tell Animal Rescue in Crossfield, is collecting money for a reward for information that leads authorities to the culprits.

"May take a while, but we will find out who did this," she said.