Wolf found shot dead in Eastern Oregon; state police seek tips in 'unlawful killing'

BAKER CITY, Ore. - Oregon State Police made a public appeal for tips Wednesday in an investigation into the unlawful shooting and killing of a wolf in Eastern Oregon.

The wolf was killed in the Keating Wildlife Management Unit on or about September 24, 2020, state police said.

The wolf had been fitted with a GPS collar in December 2018. It was the known breeding male for the Cornucopia Pack of wolves.

The wolf was found dead on a spur road off Forest Service Road 7741 in the Skull Creek drainage of the Wallowa Whitman National Forest, west of the community of New Bridge.

Anyone with information regarding the suspect or suspects in this case is asked to contact OSP Sergeant Isaac Cyr through the Turn in Poachers (TIP) hotline at 1-800-452-7888 or *OSP (mobile).

The TIP program offers 5 preference points for people who provide information leading to the arrest of someone responsible for killing a wolf. Tipsters can opt for a $300 cash reward instead.

A wolf from Idaho was found in Oregon in 1999 and returned to the Gem State. Several subsequent sightings - including a wolf hit and killed on Interstate 84 near Huntington - were made before evidence that wolves had established packs in Oregon was confirmed in 2008. Since then, wolves have continued to establish a presence in Oregon - and even reached California.