Preliminary Autopsy Results Indicate Lion Killed Wolf

An investigation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Law Enforcement, has found no evidence of human caused mortality in the recent death of a female Mexican Gray Wolf. A preliminary examination found the presence of premortem induced puncture wounds, similar in characteristic to bites from another animal, in several areas of the carcass including the neck and one leg. In addition, the wolf suffered a broken vertebrae in the neck.

The actual cause of death is a suspected bite wound from a cougar to the neck. Final laboratory analysis results may not be obtained for several weeks.

The Campbell Blue alpha female, #482, was found lying about 100 yards off of highway 191 in eastern Arizonas Apache National Forest on October 27, 1999.