U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agents are seeking information regarding the recent suspicious deaths of seven wolves in Arizona and New Mexico that have occurred over past months. Rewards of up to $10,000 are offered to anyone who can assist in the apprehension of the individual or individuals responsible for the loss of these valuable animals.
In Arizona:
M639 - Cerro Pack Alpha male found dead near FR 117, east of Vernon, in Apache County on March 9, 2003.
F644 - Cerro Pack Alpha female found dead near FR 65, near Mallory Springs, in the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest on May 25, 2003.
M756 - Bluestem Pack yearling found dead near Centerfire Creek in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Arizona on June 9, 2003.
F856 - Wild born pup, pack origin unknown found dead near junction of FR 25 and 25F,
north of Wild Cat Point in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest on August 26, 2003.
F510 -Saddle Pack alpha female found dead near Snake Creek and FR 25, in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest on September 15, 2003.
In New Mexico:
M509 -Francisco Pack Alpha male found dead along state highway 180 west of Silver City on September 24, 2003.
M584 - Gapiwi Pack male found dead one mile east of Snow Lake in the Gila National Forest on September 28, 2003.
Individuals with information they believe may be helpful are urged to call one of the following :
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agents in Mesa at (480) 967-7900, Pinetop, (928-367-5689 or in New Mexico at (505) 346-7828; Arizona Game and Fish Department Operation Game Thief at 1-800-352-0700; New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Operation Game Thief 1-800-432-4263; or the White Mountain Apache Tribe at (928) 338-1023.
THE KILLING A MEXICAN GRAY WOLF IS A VIOLATION OF BOTH FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS. VIOLATIONS OF THE FEDERAL ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT CAN INVOKE CRIMINAL PENALTIES OF UP TO $25,000 AND/OR SIX MONTHS IN JAIL, OR A CIVIL PENALTY OF UP TO $25,000.
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 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses nearly 540 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 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.
http://Southwest.fws.gov
