A federally protected Mexican wolf was found dead northwest of Flagstaff, Ariz., on Nov. 7. Female Mexican wolf 2979 (F2979) was found in the vicinity of Forest Service Road 2058 and East Spring Valley Road. The incident is under investigation, and a reward of up to $103,500 is available for information that leads to successful prosecution in the case.
Authorities are offering no additional details about the cause of death at this time, except that the mortality was not related to agency management actions. F2979 was first documented outside the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area (MWEPA) north of Interstate 40 near Flagstaff in early summer 2024. It was captured, affixed with a GPS collar and released back into the wild in July.
DNA analysis revealed the animal had dispersed from the Tu Dil Hil pack in the MWEPA. F2979 was seen traveling with another Mexican wolf in the area, and efforts to capture the pair and translocate them back to the MWEPA initiated in October were unsuccessful. The fate of the other predator is unknown.
Captive Mexican wolves were reintroduced to Arizona in 1998 after a 30-year absence from the wilderness. Later that year a U.S. Postal worker, while on a camping trip to celebrate his retirement, was forced to shoot and kill one of the collared animals to defend his wife and daughter. Despite the fact he reported the incident quickly, cooperated fully with authorities and no charges were leveled, the public outcry continues.
“The 2023 population census revealed a minimum of 257 Mexican wolves distributed across Arizona and New Mexico,” according to the latest figures released by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “This increase marks the eighth consecutive year of population growth, the longest continuous streak since recovery efforts began.”
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a reward of up to $50,000, the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Operation Game Thief is offering a reward of up to $1,000, and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the death of Mexican wolf F2979. A variety of non-governmental organizations and private individuals have also pledged additional funding for a total reward amount of up to $51,500, depending on the information provided.
Anyone with information on individuals in the area where the wolf was found, or information they believe may be helpful, are urged to call U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agents in Pinetop, Ariz., by phoning (346) 254-0515. Killing a Mexican wolf is a violation of state law and the Federal Endangered Species Act and can result in criminal penalties of up to $50,000, and/or not more than one year in jail, and/or a civil penalty of up to $25,000.
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