“This is a tragic, unnecessary loss to our state’s endangered wolf population. Anyone with the good fortune to see a wolf in the wild knows of their beauty, intellect and tight family bond. This cowardly act flies in the face of committed efforts from biologists, policymakers and ranchers working to recover and coexist with wolves in Washington.”

Zoe Hanley, northwest representative for Defenders of Wildlife
STEVENS COUNTY, Wash.

Defenders of Wildlife condemns the horrific poisoning of six wolves in Stevens County, Washington, and is offering a reward of $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. A total of $51,000 is being offered as a reward by a coalition of environmental groups. 

“This is a tragic, unnecessary loss to our state’s endangered wolf population,” said Zoe Hanley, a wolf biologist with Defenders of Wildlife. “Anyone with the good fortune to see a wolf in the wild knows of their beauty, intellect and tight family bond. This cowardly act flies in the face of committed efforts from biologists, policymakers and ranchers working to recover and coexist with wolves in Washington.” 

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) confirmed the fatal poisonings and additional two wolves killed after investigating an initial report of four found dead earlier this year. All wolves were found in the Wedge pack territory. 

Anyone with information is encouraged to call WDFW’s confidential poaching hotline at 877-9330-9847 or text the tip to 847411.
 

For over 75 years, Defenders of Wildlife has remained dedicated to protecting all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With a nationwide network of nearly 2.1 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on X @Defenders.

  

Media Contact

Communications Specialist
hhammer@defenders.org
(202) 772-0295

Related

Image
Gray Wolf in Yellowstone

News

Image
2010.10.31 - Sierra Nevada Red Fox - Stanislaus National Forest - U.S. Department of Agriculture (CC by 2.0).jpg
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

Defenders to Sue Over Failure to Protect Habitat for One of Nation’s Rarest Mammals

Defenders of Wildlife today notified the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that it intends to sue over its failure to designate critical habitat for an
Image
2023.01.05- Right Whale Swimming with Calf-FWC-CC BY NC ND 2.0
Washington, DC

Defenders: Latest Right Whale Population Estimate Shows More to be Done

The North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium via NOAA Fisheries today updated the estimated population of critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. The new estimate is