The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced that a reward of up to $10,000 has been posted for information leading to the apprehension of the individual or individuals responsible for the shooting of a Mexican gray wolf on or about December 16, 2000. The carcass of the dead wolf was found approximately ½ mile north of Highway 12 near Aragon, New Mexico, on the Apache National Forest, in the Divide wood cutting area. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agents are investigating the shooting and would like to talk to anyone who was in the area or may have information regarding the wolf’s death.
The male yearling wolf, identified as #590, was born on May 1, 1999 at Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico. The Francisco pack yearling was released along with members of his pack on July 14, 2000, a few miles southeast of Hannagan Meadow in the Blue Range Primitive Area of eastern Arizona. Just weeks prior to his death, he had begun making dispersal movements to the east, possibly in search of a mate.
Individuals with information they believe may be helpful in solving this crime should call Service special agents at 480-835-8289 or the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish’s Operation Game Thief at 800-432-GAME. The killing of a Mexican gray wolf is a violation of both Federal and New Mexico laws. Violations of the federal Endangered Species Act can invoke criminal penalties up to $100,000 and/or six months in jail, or a civil penalty of up to $100,000.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 530 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
