6 Endangered Wolves Found Poisoned To Death, Reward For Information Offered

Endangered gray wolves are dying after ingesting poison in Washington state, and wildlife officials are offering reward money for individuals with information on the killings. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced Monday it is offering a $51,400 reward for information that leads to a conviction of the responsible persons.

The reward money comes from eight conservation organizations. National conservation non-profit Defenders of Wildlife is offering $2,500 of the total reward money. In a statement Monday, the organization's Northwest Representative, Zoe Hanley, called the wolf poisoning a "cowardly act" that is counter to the work of recovering wolf populations in Washington.

WDFW officers located two dead wolves in Stevens County in Northern Washington. The deaths have been under investigation by the WDFW Police. The first four carcasses were located in late February, NBC News reports. Toxicology reports state all six wolves died after ingesting poison.

Private non-profit Conservation Northwest is offering $10,000 as a reward for information on the poisonings. Paula Swedeen, Conservation Northwest's Wolf Policy Lead, said in a statement released Monday that the continuation of wolf poisoning was "disturbing."

"We need to find solutions that allow wolves to inhabit this wild country without constant death threats hanging over their heads," Swedeen said.

Gray wolves are endangered under Washington State law and are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act in two-thirds of the state. The wolves were all found within the territory of the Wedge pack. WDFW tracks gray wolf populations in the state and monitor 33 known wolf packs, providing monthly updates and depredation activity.

In September, two wolves of a different pack were killed by biologists working with WDFW as a preventative measure to stop the pack from preying on cattle in Stevens County, KREM, a CBS affiliate out of Spokane, reported.

Killing gray wolves and other animals listed as endangered species in Washington is a misdemeanor. Defendants could face up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

People with information about the poisonings are encouraged to call WDFW's confidential poaching hotline at (877)-933-9847 or by texting information to 847411.