A federally protected red wolf was found dead in Washington County, North Carolina along a fence line located south of Newland Road on May 18, 2023 and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service needs your help in the investigation of the red wolf’s death. The red wolf was shot in the torso causing the wolf to falter and fall where ultimately found. The red wolf’s lungs were found to be collapsed during a recent necropsy.
The Service is offering a reward of $5,000 for information that leads to successful prosecution in this case. Anyone with information on the death of the red wolf is urged to contact North Carolina Division of Refuge Law Enforcement Patrol Captain Frank Simms at 252-216-7504 or Special Agent Matthew Brink at 919-856-4786 ext. 37.
Red wolves are governed by the rules established in 1995 setting up experimental, nonessential population. This means that landowners may be allowed to remove nuisance red wolf if it attacks their livestock or pets. Additionally, a red wolf that is taken incidentally to any type of otherwise legal activity (i.e. trapping coyotes following state regulations) on private lands in the red wolf recovery area does not constitute a violation of federal regulations provided that the taking is not intentional or willful and is reported to the Service within 24 hours.
If someone accidentally kills a red wolf, they must report it by calling the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service toll-free at 1-855-4-WOLVES (1-855-496-5837). It is important to report red wolf incidents quickly so that Service personnel can minimize conflicts and retrieve any carcasses while they are still intact.
To learn more about red wolves and the Service’s efforts to recover them, please visit https://www.fws.gov/project/red-wolf-recovery-program.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefits of the American people. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, please visit https://www.fws.gov.
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