(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Photo)
PHOENIX — Up to $37,000 is being offered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its partners for information regarding the death of a Mexican gray wolf near Eagar, Arizona.
Federal officials recovered the carcass of a wolf from Saffel Canyon Road in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest on Feb. 19.
Authorities say they are seeking information on a vehicle that was stopped or driving slowly near the Saffel Canyon Trailhead on the evening of Feb. 18.
“Each endangered wolf deserves a chance to survive in the wild,” Amy Lueders, regional director for the service in Albuquerque, New Mexico, said in a press release. “Our law enforcement officers are actively working with the Arizona Game and Fish Department to conduct a comprehensive investigation into this suspicious death.
“These investigations are extensive, and wolf poachers have faced, and will continue to face, serious criminal consequences.”
Killing a Mexican wolf is against state law and violates the federal Endangered Species Act. It is punishable by up to a year in jail, federal criminal penalties of up to $50,000 or a civil penalty of up to $25,000.
Anyone with information regarding the case is encouraged to call 1-844-397-8477 or email fws_tips@fws.gov.