State police are asking for the public's help to find the suspect or suspects responsible for poisoning to death eight wolves in the same general area of Eastern Oregon.
According to a release from state troopers, the investigation began February 9 when officials from Oregon's Department of Fish and Wildlife discovered five dead wolves all from the same wolf pack called the "Catherine Pack", in Union County, southeast of Mount Harris. They also found a deceased magpie.
The next month, officials found another dead wolf, from a separate pack, as well as a skunk and magpie in the "same general location" as their previous fatal discovery.
Lab results in April revealed that the six wolves, two magpies and one skunk all died from poison. Officials had also previously found evidence of suspected poison at the scene, which lab results also confirmed.
Even after the revelation, two more deceased wolves were found in Union County, one in April west of Elgin and one in July northeast of La Grande. Both cases were determined to be caused by different types of poison. The dead female wolf found in July may be related to the six earlier poison cases.
Tensions have existed for years between wolf advocates and local ranchers in the state whose livestock has been preyed on by wolves. As a result, Oregon has created a "Wolf Conservation and Management Plan" to help alleviate the conflict, with the goal to "ensure the conservation of gray wolves as required by Oregon law while protecting the social and economic interests of all Oregonians."
Officials said they’ve "exhausted leads" in their months long investigation. They are now asking anybody with information to contact their tip line at 1-800-452-7888 or email TIP@state.or.us.
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