FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — A $103,500 reward is being offered for information regarding the death of a Mexican gray wolf west of Flagstaff.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says the federally protected Mexican gray wolf known as Hope was found dead near Forest Service Road 2058 and East Spring Valley Road on Nov. 7. did. However, details of how the wolf died have not been made public. , several organizations are working together to offer a reward for additional information.
“Killing a Mexican wolf is a violation of state law and the federal Endangered Species Act, punishable by a criminal penalty of up to $50,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year, and/or a civil penalty of up to $25,000. ” said a release from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
DNA shows Hope came from the Tudil Hill pack in the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area.
Hope was first recorded outside the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area north of Interstate 40 near Flagstaff earlier this summer. She was captured, fitted with a tracking GPS collar, and released in July. It has been seen traveling with another Mexican wolf in the area for years, but authorities have not been able to capture a second wolf to fit a GPS collar. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says the second wolf’s whereabouts are unknown at this time.
“Hope embodies the dream of many here in Flagstaff, including the school children who named her, that the wolf could return to the Grand Canyon region and restore balance to nature.” said Taylor McKinnon, director of the Center for Biological Diversity Southwest. “Anyone with information about this senseless death should report it so our elk-filled forests can once again thrive with the wolves that belong here.”
“If you have information about individuals in the area where wolves have been found, or have information that you think may be helpful, please call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent in Pinetop, Arizona at (346) 254-0515. Please do so,” the department said. .
The wolf in the photo above is a Mexican gray wolf, but it is not the wolf involved in this story.
