DURKEE, Ore. (AP) — A collared wolf from the Lookout Mountain pack was fatally shot earlier this month in northeastern Oregon and police are asking for the public’s help in locating the person(s). responsible.
On October 3, state Fish and Wildlife troopers received information from the agency that a collared wolf known as OR88 may have died in northeast Oregon. near Little Lookout Mountain, about 14 miles from Durkee, Oregon State Police said Wednesday.
Soldiers and Fish and Wildlife personnel responded to the area and found the wolf’s body on Bureau of Land Management property. Soldiers believe the wolf was shot at the scene on October 2.
The Oregon Wildlife Coalition and its conservation partners are offering to pay an $11,500 reward that leads to the soldiers being arrested and/or cited in this incident, police said.
In Oregon last year, wildlife troopers found eight dead wolves in the same area. Animals have been poisoned, but the deaths remain unsolved and rewards have also been offered for tips leading to convictions.
Six wolves found dead this year in northeastern Washington this year have been poisoned and a reward is also available, officials said last week.
There were a minimum of 206 wolves and 33 packs in Washington state in 2021, according to an annual survey conducted by state and tribal biologists. Idaho had about 1,500 wolves, while Oregon had about 173 at the time.