ARIZONA (KRQE) — Federal wildlife officials and animal advocates are offering a $100,000 reward for information about the death of a Mexican wolf.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said the wolf was found dead northwest of Flagstaff, Arizona, on November 7. It's unclear how the wolf died, but an investigation is underway.
The Western Watersheds Project said the wolf, nicknamed "Hope," played an important role in Mexican wolf conservation.
"We don't know how she was killed, but if someone had a role to play in her death, I would like them to think about how important it is for wolves to be in the landscape to improve the environment," said Cyndi Tuel with the Western Watersheds Project.
According to an Arizona Game and Fish report, there are 257 Mexican wolves in the wild in Arizona and New Mexico.
Killing a Mexican wolf is a violation of the federal Endangered Species Act.
To report information, contact any of these resources:
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agents in Pinetop, Arizona, at 346-254-0515
- Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Operation Game Thief at 800-352-0700
- New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Operation Game Thief at 800-432-4263