Gray Wolf Found Dead in Union County, Oregon

Any gray wolf which shows up in Oregon is listed as an endangered species under both state and federal law.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is investigating the discovery of a dead gray wolf in Union County, Oregon. The animal had been shot, and was recovered on May 25th, from a forested area north of Elgin.

(ELGIN, Ore. ) - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is investigating the discovery of a dead gray wolf in Union County, Oregon. The animal had been shot, and was recovered on May 25th, from a forested area north of Elgin.

The carcass was badly decomposed when first discovered, making initial identification of the animal nearly impossible.

Testing has confirmed that the animal was a mature female wolf, genetically related to the wolf population in Idaho, and that it died from a gunshot wound.

Fish and Wildlife Service law enforcement agents are requesting that anyone who may have information regarding the death of this or any other wolf contact them immediately at (503) 682-6131.

This is the fourth confirmed wolf to have been found in the state.

In March 1999, a radio-collared female was captured near John Day and returned to Idaho.

In 2000, a collared wolf was found dead along Interstate 84 south of Baker City, and a wolf without a radio collar was found shot between Ukiah and Pendleton.

All three animals were confirmed to have been migrants from Idaho.

“It’s important for people to be thinking about the possibility of wolves in their area and to understand how to respond,” said Russ Morgan, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife wolf coordinator in Northeast Oregon. “It is illegal to shoot a wolf, even one mistaken for another animal. Hunters in particular need to identify their target before shooting because wolves can look similar to coyotes.”

Hunters, livestock producers and others can visit http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wolves/ for more information on how to identify wolves and respond to encounters including predation.

Any gray wolf which shows up in Oregon is listed as an endangered species under both state and federal law.

Killing an animal protected under the federal Endangered Species Act is punishable by a fine of up to $100,000, one year in jail, or both.

Killing a wolf is also a violation of Oregon state game law, with fines and penalties that are assessed by the court.

In the unlikely event that a wolf attacks a human, any person may use lethal force to prevent or stop the attack.

Such an incident must be reported to the Fish and Wildlife Service, at (541) 786-3282, or (541) 962-8584; or ODFW at (541) 963-2138, within 24 hours. The wolf carcass must not be disturbed.

Individuals who see a wolf, or suspect or discover wolf activity are asked to contact one of the following immediately:

• Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Wolf Coordinator Russ Morgan in La Grande: (541) 963-2138.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wolf Coordinator John Stephenson in Bend: office, (541) 312-6429; cell, (541) 786-3282.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service La Grande Field Office: (541) 962-8584.

Experts have long predicted that wolves from the expanding Idaho population would continue to cross the Snake River and enter Oregon. Breeding pairs and packs could also become established.

Although the Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed to remove the wolf from the list of threatened and endangered species in the Northern Rockies, including part of Oregon, the wolf will remain federally listed until that process is complete. The proposal is open to public comment until August 6, 2007, after which comments will be considered carefully and more procedural steps will be completed before a decision is made. Information on the proposal can be found at Western Gray Wolf