The Oregon State Police are investigating the deaths of five wolves found in the Mt. Harris area of Union County. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife reported that a wolf collar indicated a mortality signal on February 9. The cause of death is currently unknown and is under investigation. All five dead wolves were taken to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's forensic lab to determine the cause of death. It is currently unknown what wolf pack(s) these wolves were from.
“This is very unsettling news for a species that is only just beginning to recover in Oregon,” said Kathleen Gobush, Ph.D, Northwest program director at Defenders of Wildlife. “Predators, particularly wolves, are often the target of ruthless persecution, and the killing of one wolf, not to mention five, appears to follow a growing pattern of grave concern. Defenders of Wildlife will continue to work to make Oregon safe for people and wolves.”
For nearly 80 years, Defenders of Wildlife has worked to protect and restore America’s wildlife at risk of extinction, advancing a vision of a future in which wildlife thrives, sustained by broad public support and a resilient network of healthy lands and waters. With a network of more than 2 million supporters, Defenders is an advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on Instagram @defendersofwildlife.
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