8 wolves were poisoned in Oregon. Police have no idea who did it
Eight wolves were poisoned in eastern Oregon earlier this year, and authorities are still looking for a killer.
Oregon State Police asked for help from the public Tuesday, admitting they’ve exhausted all leads in the cases of eight wolves poisoned between February and April.
Five wolves, all from the same pack, were found dead in February in the state’s northeast Union County. A magpie was also found dead near the wolves. All six animals died from poisoning.
Another wolf, from a different pack, was found dead in the same area in March. A skunk and another magpie were also found dead. All three animals were poisoned.
Two more wolves were found dead in April, also in the same area, and testing revealed they’d been poisoned as well.
“Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Troopers have continued in their investigation in the intervening months but have exhausted leads in the case,” cops told the Salem Statesman Journal in a statement.
Poisoning wolves, formerly common as the animals were wiped out across the country, is now a felony in Oregon punishable by up to five years in prison.
With only about 170 wolves in the state, wildlife activists have called the killings “egregious.”
“This is horrific,” said Sristi Kamal of Defenders of Wildlife in Portland. “This is quite clearly an intentional and repeat offense.”
With News Wire Services
