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For Immediate Release
Second Idaho Wolf Found Shot
Defenders of Wildlife and U .S. Government Offer Reward for Killer's Arrest
Boise, Idaho – Defenders of Wildlife condemned the shooting of a second wolf from the Smoky Mountain pack and joined the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) in offering a $4,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer or killers. FWS today identified the dead wolf as B-96, the alpha male of the Smoky Mountain pack. Another wolf of the same pack, B-57, a large male, was found shot to death in late November.
"There are troubling signs that these two wolf killings may point to a larger pattern. What the killers don’t realize, or don’t care about, is that they are undermining the hard work of ranchers, conservationists and others on gray wolf recovery, shattering any near-term hope of moving wolves in the Northern Rockies away from endangered status. Wolves, ranchers, local communities -- in fact, everybody loses if these illegal killings don’t stop," said Suzanne Laverty, Defenders of Wildlife Pacific Northwest representative.
"Even worse, there is no evidence whatsoever that these two wolves were involved in harming any livestock. They were shot simply because someone out there really hates wolves."
Bob Ferris, Defenders of Wildlife vice president for species conservation, said, "Defenders of Wildlife has worked hard with local communities to address concerns about wolf reintroduction. We’ve paid generous, prompt compensation to ranchers and shepherds who’ve lost stock to wolves, paid for measures to protect livestock and property, and generally gone the extra mile to deal with anyone who raises a question about wolves and other predators. That’s why these killings are so deeply disappointing."
"We believe that the killers are way outside the mainstream, and look to responsible people in the community to help FWS put a stop to this," he continued.
The body of Wolf B-96 was recovered near Lick Creek on December 4, and marks the second confirmed wolf killing in less than a month in this area of Camas County, Idaho. Wolf B-57 was found dead on November 23. Defenders of Wildlife has offered a $2000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who killed wolf B-96, in addition to a $2000 reward by the FWS. The two organizations offered the same rewards for the killer(s) of wolf B-57. Persons with information on these or other wolf killings should contact law enforcement agents immediately at (208) 378-5333.
Defenders of Wildlife is a leading nonprofit conservation organization recognized as one of the nation’s most progressive advocates for wildlife and its habitat. With more than 430,000 members and supporters, Defenders of Wildlife is an effective leader on endangered species issues.
