A reward has topped $36,000 for information on the poisoning of all members of the Oregon Catherine Wolf Pack and three additional wolves earlier this year. The reward is offered by several environmental groups, who hope the funds will lead to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for poisoning the wolves and other animals.
“We were heartbroken to hear of these horrific and inhumane killings and condemn in the strongest terms this atrocity,” said Marc Cooke, president of Wolves of the Rockies.
On Feb. 9, Oregon State Police (OSP) Fish and Wildlife Division troopers received information from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) regarding a possibly deceased, collared wolf in Union County. Upon arrival, troopers discovered five dead wolves—three males and two females—along with a deceased magpie. ODFW determined that all members of the Catherine Wolf Pack were the deceased wolves.
On March 11, Fish and Wildlife troopers again received information from ODFW personnel of an additional wolf collar emitting a mortality signal. A search of the area located a deceased female wolf, a skunk and a magpie, all very close to the scene. The female wolf was dispersing from the Keating Pack.
All of the animals were collected and sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) forensic laboratory in Ashland to determine the cause of death. Troopers also located evidence of poisoning and submitted the samples for analysis and testing.
In April, USFWS submitted their examination reports with findings consistent with poisoning as the cause of death for all six wolves, the skunk and two magpies. Lab results also indicated the suspected evidence confirmed a poisonous substance.
Since that time, two more deceased wolves have been discovered in Union County. An adult male from the Five Points Pack was found in April, and a young female wolf from the Clark Creek Pack was discovered in July.
In both cases, the cause of death was not readily apparent. A necropsy and testing were conducted, which confirmed the presence of poison in both wolves. Based upon the type of poison and locations, it was determined the death of the young female wolf might be related to the earlier six poisonings.
“In 21 years, 31 Oregon wolves have been poisoned, shot or trapped illegally, but only three of those instances have resulted in convictions,” said Amaroq Weiss, senior wolf advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Scientists who study illegal wolf killings conclude that for every poached wolf discovered, there are likely two or three more that will never be found. The state has started to take poaching more seriously, but it’s not enough. People kill wolves because they hate them or fear them, and there’s never been an adequate public education program in Oregon or any state to combat this misplaced mindset.”
OSP stated that all investigative leads have been exhausted, and that is why they are reaching out to the public.
The reward is offered through the Turn In Poachers (TIP) line. The TIP line is a partnership between state police, wildlife officials, conservation groups and hunting organizations, in an attempt to protect wildlife and stop poaching throughout Oregon. Anyone with information about the poisonings can report it anonymously to the TIP line at 800-452-7888 or *OSP (*677). — Charles Wallace, WLJ editor
