On Monday, May 9th, 2005 between 6 and 7 a.m., a Mexican wolf was found dead alongside Highway 60 East of Vernon, Arizona. A preliminary investigation indicates the wolf had been feeding on a road-killed elk on the shoulder of the road.
The Service would like to hear from any individuals who may have seen suspicious activities, saw a vehicle parked beside Hwy 60 during the timeframe or actually saw the wolf.A reward of up to $10,000 is offered for information leading to the apprehension of the individual or individuals responsible for the wolf's death.
Individuals with information that may be helpful in solving this crime should call the Service's law enforcement office at 928-333-5245 or the Arizona Department of Game and Fish's Operation Game Thief at 1-800-352-0700. Callers will remain anonymous.
Killing a Mexican Gray Wolf is a violation of the federal Endangered Species Act and can invoke criminal penalties up to $50,000 and / or up to one year in jail or civil penalties of up to $25,000.
The wolf has been identified as the Iris Pack Alpha Male 798. Its remains have been sent to the Service's forensic laboratory to confirm the cause of death. The results are pending.
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 544 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resources offices and 81 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 and Native American tribal governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
-http://southwest.fws.gov-
