Who?

Oregon State Police are looking for the people responsible for the deaths of at least 8 wolves in Eastern Oregon. They are asking for the public's help in finding the culprits.

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What happened?

According to a release from Oregon State Police:

On February 9, 2021, Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division Troopers received information from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) regarding a possibly deceased, collared wolf. Troopers responded to the area and located five deceased wolves, three males, and two females. It was later determined the wolves were from the Catherine Pack, with all known members present and deceased. The wolves were located southeast of Mount Harris, within Union County. Fish and Wildlife Troopers and ODFW personnel with the assistance of a helicopter searched the area for anything of evidentiary value. An additional deceased magpie was also found in the vicinity of the deceased wolves.

About a month later, Troopers were contacted by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife about another wolf they had concern for in the same area. Soon after, officials discovered the bodies of a female wolf, skunk, and magpie.

The dead animals were sent to a lab for testing. Toxicology results showed that all the the wolves had been poisoned.

In April, another male wolf was found dead near Elgin. and then, in July, another female carcass was found near LaGrande. Testing on these wolves confirmed two different poisons. The death of the female may be related to the earlier 6.

You can help.

Anyone who has any information about the wolf poisonings is urged to contact the Oregon State Police at 1-800-452-7888. You can read more here.

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