Tag: Wolf

Endangered gray wolf poached in Oregon, reward set at $10,000

The radio-collared wolf, known to researchers as OR 159, was found dead in an area where the animals are federally protected.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in a case involving the illegal killing of a protected gray wolf.

The agency explained in a news release that the incident occurred in Morrow County west of Highway 395, where gray wolves are federally listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

The radio-collared male wolf, known to researchers as OR 159, was found dead Nov. 8 on private property about 20 miles south of the county seat of Heppner.

The USFWS and the Oregon State Police are conducting a joint investigation.

The USFWS asks that anyone with potentially helpful information should call the Service at (503) 682-6131, or OSP Dispatch at (800) 452-7888, text *OSP (*677), or email TIP@osp.oregon.gov. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

Watch: Young wolf has fight on hands with feisty squirrel

Footage captured in Minnesota shows a wolf pup discovering that capturing squirrels can involve painful consequences.

–The Voyageurs Wolf Project on Thursday shared a series of images titled “Trail camera gold” as part of a donation request. The Instagram images, with no description, show a wolf preying on a squirrel with what appear to be painful results.

We featured the back story and video showing this predation event last July. Both are posted below.

Trail-cam footage captured recently in Minnesota shows a wolf pup discovering that capturing squirrels can involve painful consequences.

“This wolf pup learned that squirrel bites on the nose don’t feel so good,” the Voyageurs Wolf Project stated via social media.

The accompanying footage opens with a slow-motion sequence in which the pup sends the squirrel flying after receiving a bite on the tip of its snout.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C9KdXHZPgCD/

It picks up with more of the hunt, at regular speed and in slow motion, including a second bite to the snout.

One viewer described the action as a “food fight.”

The footage certainly underscores that life as a young predator includes working hard for just about every meal.

The Greater Voyageurs Ecosystem is a vast boreal forest that includes Voyageurs National Park. The Voyageurs Wolf Project studies wolves in the region.

Watch: Yellowstone elk turns tables on wolf after stirring chase

Dramatic video footage shows an elk running for its life while being chased by a wolf in Yellowstone National Park, but the elk’s odds of survival suddenly improve.

A Wyoming-based guide has captured dramatic footage showing an elk running for its life while being chased by a wolf in Yellowstone National Park.

Bo Welden’s footage (posted below) begins with text informing viewers to prepare for an “expected outcome.”

While that’s a vague hint of what’s to come, viewers can see from the outset that this is an emergency situation for a cow elk that appears to be on her own.

Several seconds pass with the wolf, exhibiting remarkable stamina, attempting to catch the elk as both animals sprint across the rugged landscape.

But soon the elk reaches its herd and the dynamic changes. The elk that was fleeing, now with the herd’s support, begins to chase the wolf, which barely escapes.

Welden, who guides for Jackson Hole Wildlife Ecotour Adventures, explained the “expected outcome” statement via Instagram:

“Have you ever tried to catch and kill your food with your face? Plus your food runs 30+ miles an hour, one stomp from a powerful hoof kills/injures you, and has a fierce motherly instinct! It’s no easy task.”

Gray wolves (some are black) typically require the strength of a pack to take down a healthy adult elk.

Welden told FTW Outdoors that the chase occurred in Hayden Valley and that the black wolf in the footage is a member of the Wapiti Lake Pack.

–Generic black wolf image from Hayden Valley courtesy of Scott Thomas

Video shows ‘chilling’ interaction between Grand Teton wolf, coyote

Guide Bo Welden explains why the wolf likely ran off with its tail between its legs.

A guide in Grand Teton National Park last week documented an extraordinary scene featuring a wolf reacting to the “chilling” cries of a distant coyote.

The accompanying footage was captured by Bo Welden and viewers are urged to turn up the volume and note the young wolf placing its tail between its legs – an act of fear or submission – before running from the unearthly sounds.

Since wolves are substantially larger than coyotes, and seemingly fearless in most situations, viewers might wonder why the wolf was so deeply affected by the howls of a smaller canine.

That’s not entirely clear, but Welden, a Jackson Hole Eco Tour Adventures guide who was exploring the park with a friend, implied that the coyote was in distress because of wolves.

“During this event I was able to spot what I believe were three different yearling wolves,” Welden stated via Instagram. “We watched as two coyotes actually chased these wolves away from a possible den site. It’s rare for a coyote to be so brazen.”

Welden told For The Win Outdoors that the wolves had likely raided the coyotes’ den and “possibly even fed on their newborn pups.”

That’d explain the shrill cries.

Welden was with photographer Kelly Wasenmiller, who began her Instagram description: “If I could have ever imagined a more raw and beautiful encounter with a wolf, I would have fallen greatly short.”

Wyoming criticizes ‘disrespectful’ wolf hunt, but is that enough?

The hunter is alleged to have captured the wolf, duct-taped its mouth and delivered it to a bar for display before he killed the animal.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department on Monday criticized a hunter’s ‘disrespectful’ actions several weeks after the individual allegedly ran down a wolf with a snowmobile and captured and later killed the animal.

But the agency did so without identifying the hunter or specifying his alleged deeds on Feb. 29 in Sublette County. They include duct-taping the wolf’s muzzle before transporting the animal to be shown off in a bar.

“The actions and behaviors of the individual involved in this case are not reflective of Wyoming’s values for wildlife,” Game and Fish Director Brian Nesvik declared in a statement. “The actions that came to light in this case were disrespectful to wildlife.

“These actions were not in keeping with conservation principles or ethical behavior. This incident casts a shadow over our state’s proven track record in successfully and responsibly managing our gray wolf population.”

The statement was in response to a flood of complaints after the man’s alleged actions began to circulate via social media.

But the statement does not change the fact that the hunter was cited only for misdemeanor possession and importation of a live wild mammal, carrying a $250 fine.

Animal cruelty charges were not possible, the agency explained, because of the way regulations are established in parts of the state, such as Sublette County, deemed “predator zones.”

In these zones, hunters can kill wolves and other predatory animals without hunting tags, as long as kills are reported. There are no safeguards against animal harassment or torture.

“The incident occurred in a part of the state where gray wolves are legally classified as predatory animals,” Game and Fish stated. “[They] are not managed by the department and animal cruelty laws, per Wyo. Stat. Ann. 6-3-1008 (a)(vii) do not apply to predatory animals.”

The cruelty aspect generated more publicity than Game and Fish would have liked, but it remains unclear whether Wyoming will alter its regulations.

It’s worth noting that wolves in Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park are off-limits to hunting.

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

Wolf-poaching incident near Yellowstone under investigation

Authorities in Montana would not say how the wolf was killed or whether it might have belonged to one of Yellowstone National Park’s known packs.

Authorities in Montana are investigating a suspected wolf-poaching incident that occurred recently near Yellowstone National Park.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks stated Wednesday that the wolf was killed near Mol Heron and Cinnabar creeks northwest of Gardiner on Jan. 27.

Gardiner is just outside Yellowstone’s North Entrance.

FWP spokesman Morgan Jacobsen, citing an active investigation, did not provide details regarding how the wolf was killed or whether it had belonged to a pack that lives mostly inside the park.

“I can confirm that a wolf died likely as a result of a poaching incident a few miles north of Yellowstone National Park,” Jacobsen told FTW Outdoors. “And Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is conducting an investigation.”

The Yellowstone National Park Public Affairs Office also declined to provide details, citing the FWP investigation.

News From The States reports that the wolf was killed inside Montana’s Wolf Management Unit 313, where a hunting quota of six wolves was filled by Dec. 27.

All six wolves, as a Yellowstone National Park spokeswoman recently confirmed to FTW Outdoors, “belonged to packs that spend the majority of their lives inside Yellowstone National Park and have territories largely within the park.”

FWP is seeking help from the public as part of its investigation. Anyone with potentially helpful information is asked to visit myfwp.mt.gov/fwpPub/tipmont or call 1-800-TIP-MONT.

Informants could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

–Generic Yellowstone wolf image courtesy of the National Park Service

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

Bears, wolf and bighorn sheep poached in same Oregon county

Authorities in Oregon are investigating recent poaching incidents involving black bear cubs, a gray wolf, and a bighorn sheep.

Authorities in Oregon are investigating recent poaching incidents involving black bear cubs, a gray wolf, and a bighorn sheep.

Each incident occurred in Baker County during the last week of November, and in each case the animals were killed unlawfully and left to waste.

It was not known if a single poacher was responsible.

The Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Division stated in a news release that on Nov. 27 two bear cubs were found dead off USFS 77 Road inside the Keating Wildlife Management Unit.

Both animals had been shot.

On the same day, Fish & Wildlife troopers, acting on a tip, found a wolf carcass near Sparta Road, also within the Keating Wildlife Management Unit.

On Nov. 30, a trooper responded to the discovery of a bighorn sheep ram that had been shot and left – without its head and horns – near Hubbard Creek Road within the Lookout Mountain Wildlife Management Unit.

The Lookout Wildlife Management Unit is directly below the Keating Wildlife Management Unit.

The Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Division is asking for the public’s help in identifying the person or persons responsible for the unlawful killings.

The agency’s tip lines are 800-452-7888 or *OSP (for mobile phone users). Rewards are being offered in each case.

–Generic black bear image courtesy of ©Pete Thomas

Tar Heels have yet another disappointing performance against NC State

UNC played poor football on Saturday night, shooting itself in the foot yet again. NC State took advantage for win number nine.

Would 2023 finally be the year UNC beats NC State in football again?

The answer was clear from opening kickoff – a resounding NO.

NC State, a team known more for its defense than its offense, hung 504 yards on the Tar Heels’ porous defense in a 39-20, Wolfpack victory.

UNC has been exposed a lot in recent weeks, but just how embarrassing was Saturday night in Raleigh?

Typically, even the hottest of teams will have an occasional drive stall out.

Not the Wolfpack. Not against the Tar Heels, who couldn’t stop a turtle from 100 yards downfield.

Dual-threat quarterback Brennan Armstrong played like an all-star for NC State, completing 22-of-31 passes for 334 yards and three touchdowns. Kevin Concepcion gave Carolina trouble at both running back and receiver – leading all rushers with 55 yards, plus all receivers with 131 yards and two touchdowns.

How badly did UNC play on offense?

To sum it up in short, Drake Maye didn’t complete a single pass in the first quarter. He did finally end his night with 254 passing yards and two touchdowns, but a majority of that yardage and scoring came in garbage time.

Carolina star running back Omarion Hampton, who entered the game with six straight, 100-yard outputs and tied for the FBS lead in rushing yards, finished with a disappointing 28 yards on nine carries.

We all knew winning in Raleigh would be a tall task for UNC, a place it hasn’t won since a 41-10 win in 2019.

But we also figured Carolina would be more competitive in a rivalry game.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

 

Oregon elk hunter shoots and kills wolf, prompting investigation

An elk hunter in Oregon has reported killing a wolf in self-defense, prompting wildlife officials to investigate.

An elk hunter in Oregon has reported killing a wolf in self-defense, prompting wildlife officials to launch an investigation.

The Oregon State Police stated Monday that the hunter claimed to have been threatened by the wolf as he tracked elk on Nov. 2 along a ridge in Grant County.

The hunter told OSP Fish and Wildlife Troopers that the wolf emerged from the trees and stared him down as he yelled and waved his arms in an attempt to frighten the animal.

“The wolf then reportedly looked at the hunter from a distance of approximately 30 yards and started coming directly toward the hunter,” OSP described in a news release. “The hunter stated he feared for his safety and fired one round, striking the wolf and killing it instantly.”

Troopers who visited the scene determined that the wolf was about 18 yards from the hunter when he shot the animal. A second wolf also emerged but ran off after the hunter fired into the air.

Wolves are protected in Oregon and there is no general sport-hunting season for the animals.

OSP said a report on the incident will be submitted to the Grant County District Attorney’s Office.

The agency added: “Preliminary investigation revealed the hunter acted reasonably in shooting the wolf for personal safety and appropriately notified officials immediately upon shooting the wolf.”

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