Tag: Gray wolves

Feds offer $50,000 reward after 3 wolves are found dead in Oregon

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is hoping the large sum will help authorities catch those responsible for poaching three endangered wolves from the same pack.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is hoping that a $50,000 reward will help authorities catch and prosecute the person or persons responsible for killing three endangered wolves in Oregon.

An investigation was launched after Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife troopers found the carcasses of two collared research wolves and an un-collared wolf last Dec. 29 in Klamath County.

All three wolves – a breeding adult female (OR115) and two subadults – belonged to the Gearhart Mountain Pack.

Troopers responded after Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife  biologists received mortality signals from the two collars.

The ODFW stated Friday in a news release: “ODFW and OSP are assisting USFWS in the investigation of three Gearhart Mountain Pack wolves found dead in late December.

“ODFW is aware of seven wolves remaining in the Gearhart Mountain Pack including the breeding male. ODFW continues to monitor these wolves.”

Neither agency revealed how the wolves were killed but the case is reminiscent of a 2021 case – also involving a $50,000 reward – centered around the poisoning deaths of all five members of the Catherine wolf pack.

Gray wolves are federally endangered in the western two-thirds of Oregon.

Anyone with potentially helpful information is asked to call the USFWS at (503) 682-6131, or the Oregon State Police Dispatch at (800) 452-7888. Tipsters can also text *OSP (*677), or email TIP@osp.oregon.gov.

Callers can remain anonymous.

–Generic gray wolf image courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Wolf poacher lands in jail, loses hunting privileges for life

A Michigan man accused of several wildlife violations, including the poaching of 18 gray wolves, has been sentenced to 90 days in jail as part of a plea agreement.

A Michigan man accused of several wildlife violations, including the poaching of 18 gray wolves, has been sentenced to 90 days in jail as part of a plea agreement.

Kurt Johnston Duncan, 56, also will lose hunting and trapping privileges permanently in Michigan and all 48 states that are members of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.

Duncan, of Pickford, pleaded guilty on Sept. 24 to seven crimes, including three counts of illegal take and the possession of wolves; three counts of illegal take and possession of bald eagles, and one count of illegal commercialization of a protected species (wolf).

Additionally, Chippewa County District Court Judge Eric Blubaugh sentenced Duncan to pay $27,000 as reimbursement for the animals he killed, and $9,240 in court fees.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources described the case as “historical” for the agency and state in a news release issued Wednesday.

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Gary Hagler, Chief of the DNR Law Enforcement Division, added: “We hope this poaching case acts as a deterrent to criminals for committing future wildlife crimes such as this.

“Our officers did an excellent job working as a team and building this investigation so it could move quickly through the criminal justice system.”

The months-long investigation of Duncan identified 125 wildlife misdemeanor crimes involving other animals, including deer, bobcat, and turkeys.

Duncan was ordered to forfeit all items, including firearms and snares, seized during the execution of search warrants.

–Generic gray wolf images are courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service