Criminal investigation follows death of two wolves
Two wolves found dead under suspicious circumstances last month have sparked a criminal investigation by the Oregon State Police.
The male and female pair — who apparently were raising pups — were found deceased within 50 yards of each other by an OSP Fish and Wildlife Trooper during the week of Aug. 24 near Enterprise in northeast Oregon.
While the incident still is under investigation, state police spokesman Bill Fugate said the deaths were "unnatural" and that poaching is being considered.
Killing a wolf in northeast Oregon is illegal in most cases and punishable by up to a year in jail and a $6,200 fine.
OSP is asking anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Senior Trooper Kreg Coggins at (541) 426-3049, call the poacher tip hotline at 1-800-452-788 or send an email to TIP@state.or.us
At least four wolves have been poached in Oregon since 2007, but wolf advocate Rob Klavins said that those are only the confirmed cases.
"It's a minority of people out there who believe in the 'shoot, shovel and shut-up' mentality when it comes to intentionally killing wolves," said Klavins, who works with the Portland-based environmental group Oregon Wild. "But it's hard to imagine that there haven't been more incidents we don't know about."
The female wolf, known as OR-21, was found after its collar emitted a mortality signal. ODFW personnel responded to the location and found the two dead wolves, including a male new to the area. Known as the Sled Springs Pair, the couple was apparently raising pups born this spring, but the pups' location is not known and few details were available.
All wolves in Oregon are protected by the state Endangered Species Act, but that could change next month. The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will consider removing state protection at meetings in October and November.
“The population of wolves in Oregon is still small, and the death of even a few wolves – either naturally or from persistent human threats – can have a major impact on the success of their recovery in the state,” said Arren Robertson, spokesman for Oregon Wild. “This incident speaks to the need for continuing protections.”
A deep look at wolves in Oregon
Wolves in northeast Oregon have less protection under the law than their western counterparts, which are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act.
Wolves in northeast Oregon are not protected under the federal ESA and ranchers can shoot a wolf caught in the act of biting, wounding, killing or chasing livestock in some circumstances.
The Oregon Cattlemen's Association said it encourages all its members to abide by the Wolf Plan.
"This is surprising news," Kayli Hanley, communications director for OCA, said in a statement. "We will be following this story closely."