Help Save Our Wolves and Pocket $10,000.00

 

Rewards Offered to Combat Wolf Poaching and Protect Endangered Species 

( WDFW and Tribes counted a minimum of 260 wolves in 42 packs in Washington at the end of 2023. Twenty-five of the packs were successful breeding pairs.)

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 8 January 2025

Seattle, WA.  - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and Conservation Northwest are calling for public support in their fight against poaching and the illegal killing of federally listed endangered gray wolves.  

The USFWS is offering up to a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest, a criminal conviction, or civil penalty assessment related to the recent killing of a gray wolf in Klickitat County. Conservation Northwest is offering an additional $10,000 reward if the wolf killer is brought to justice. 

On Dec. 17, WDFW staff reported investigating the death of an adult male gray wolf northeast of Trout Lake. This wolf was the last remaining member of the Big Muddy Pack, symbolizing a devastating blow to local wolf recovery efforts. This incident marks the second illegal killing of a gray wolf in Klickitat County this year. 

"Poaching is not only a crime against wildlife but an attack on our shared efforts to restore Washington’s ecosystems," said Paula Swedeen, Ph.D, Conservation Northwest’s Policy Director. "Each wolf lost to illegal killing undermines years of conservation work and delays the point at which the wolf population meets recovery objectives." 

According to officials, another wolf near Goldendale, Washington, died this fall from a gunshot wound that led to prolonged suffering and eventual starvation. Evidence showed the wolf dragged itself to a water source after losing the use of its back legs. These tragic incidents are part of a larger pattern, with five wolves illegally killed in Washington this year. Four of these cases remain under active investigation. 

"The illegal killing of wolves is not just an act of cruelty; it erodes the trust and collaboration needed to foster coexistence between humans and wildlife," added Jay Shepherd, Conservation Northwest’s Wolf Program Manager. "We stand firm in our commitment to holding perpetrators accountable and ensuring that Washington’s wolves can thrive for future generations." 

Officials are urging anyone with information about these crimes to come forward. Tips can be reported anonymously by calling the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service TIPs line at 1-844-FWS-TIPS (1-844-397-8477), visiting Wildlife Crime Tips, or contacting WDFW at 877-933-9847 or via email at reportpoaching@dfw.wa.gov. 

Media Contact: Andrea Wolf, Communications Director, andrea@conservationnw.org, 510-295-3579