Three more wolves found fatally poisoned in ‘disturbing trend,’ Oregon officials say
Three more wolves recently died from poison in Oregon in what wildlife officials call a “disturbing trend.”
And the wolves aren’t the only animals that were found poisoned.
Along with the gray wolves, two golden eagles, a coyote and a cougar were killed from February through March in the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service said in a May 16 news release.
The Hells Canyon National Recreation Area is in eastern Oregon and borders Idaho.
The dead wolves included a male, female and juvenile from the South Snake Pack, making the discovery a “disturbing trend that has killed 19 wolves in Oregon since 2015,” the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said in a release.
All of the animals were tested, and it was confirmed they were poisoned, federal officials said.
Oregon wildlife officials said they scoured the area and found what they believed to be the poisoning source: a cow carcass in the Imnaha River drainage.
A Steller’s jay and black-billed magpie were also found dead next to the cow before it was removed from the area.
Now the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is offering a $25,000 reward for “any information that leads to an arrest, a criminal conviction, or civil penalty assessment” related to the deaths of the wolves and the golden eagles.
Dogs poisoned in Oregon
In addition to wildlife, Oregon officials have reported poisonings that have killed dogs.
One dog was poisoned in April, about 9 miles north of Enterprise.
Enterprise is about a 35-mile drive southwest from Hells Canyon National Recreation Area.
Another dog was suspected of being poisoned near Imnaha, which is northwest of the recreation area.
“With the toll rising and as the region’s busy season for outdoor recreation gets underway, ODFW is warning people to take precautions,” wildlife officials said.
- Keep dogs on a leash, and do not let them eat anything they find.
- Carry something that will induce vomiting if you suspect your dog ate something poisoned. Veterinarians can be asked about this.
- Keep an eye out for dead birds or other “scavengers.”
- Learn what a poisoned animal carcass looks like. It may have powder or unusual colors.
- Watch out for “suspicious bait” like a steak or meatball.
This story was originally published May 17, 2024 at 6:29 PM with the headline "Three more wolves found fatally poisoned in ‘disturbing trend,’ Oregon officials say."
