On May 9, 2007, canine remains were found in the Gila National Forest of New Mexico. The remains were sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Forensics Laboratory in Ashland, Oregon for examination. The preliminary results in this investigation indicate the carcass was of Mexican wolf M925, and the wolf died from a gunshot wound. The carcass was found approximately 20 miles east of Reserve, NM.
M925 was a two year old male from the Luna Pack and frequented the Collins Park area in New Mexico.
The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service would like to hear from any individual who may have seen any suspicious activities relating to the death of this Mexican wolf. The Service is offering a reward for information leading to the apprehension of the individual(s) responsible for the shooting death of M925. Individuals with information they believe may be helpful are urged to call one of the following agencies: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agents in Alpine, AZ, at (928) 339-4232, or in Albuquerque, NM, at (505) 346-7828, or in Mesa, AZ at (480) 967-7900 or New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Operation Game Thief at 1-800-432-4263.
Killing a Mexican gray wolf is a violation of the Federal Endangered Species Act, and can result in criminal penalties of up to $50,000 and/or not more than one year in jail, or both; and/or a civil penalty of up to $25,000.
At the end of 2006, there were 59 wolves throughout the reintroduction area in New Mexico and Arizona. Of those, 46 were born in the wild. The reintroduction of the Mexican wolf is a cooperative, multi-agency effort of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, White Mountain Apache Tribe, USDA Forest Service and USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services.
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 547 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. Visit the Services website at http://www.fws.gov.
