Bend, OR – The Center for Biological Diversity, the Wolf Welcome Committee, and the Oregon Wildlife Coalition have significantly increased the reward for information about the illegal killing of a gray wolf near Sisters, Oregon, raising the total amount to $30,500. This announcement comes after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service initially offered a $10,000 reward for leads on the case.
On March 10, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service responded to reports of a deceased adult male gray wolf found near Sisters. The wolf, a member of the Metolius pack, was confirmed to have been killed illegally.
The Metolius pack was officially designated in 2024, after the male wolf and his mate successfully raised four pups. The death of the pack’s breeding male poses a serious threat to the survival of the pups and the stability of the pack itself. The loss of the breeding male could lead to the pups’ starvation or force the pack to dissolve, according to wildlife experts.
Gray wolves are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in the western two-thirds of Oregon, and killing one is a federal offense. Amaroq Weiss, a senior wolf advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity, expressed deep concern over the incident, stating, “Any illegal killing of these magnificent animals is tragic, but the poaching of the Metolius pack’s breeding male may have consigned the pack’s pups to death by starvation or the pack to dissolve.” Weiss further emphasized the severity of the crime, adding, “These beautiful animals don’t deserve to die this way, and whoever killed this wolf should face the full force of the law.”
An active investigation is underway, and authorities are seeking information that could lead to an arrest, criminal conviction, or civil penalty. The reward is available to those who provide relevant information. Anyone with details on the case is urged to contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 503-682-6131 or email the Oregon State Police at [email protected].
The killing of this wolf has sparked outrage among wildlife advocates, who stress the importance of protecting these endangered animals and ensuring those responsible are held accountable for their actions.
