Reward for poached wolf

A $7,500 reward is being offered for help solving the case of a gray wolf found on Feb. 9 shot to death in northern Stevens County.

Wolves are protected in Washington by state endangered species laws.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife veterinarian confirmed this week that the wolf died from gunshot wounds, said Dan Rahn, regional enforcement supervisor.

Western Washington-based Conservation Northwest put up the reward for information leading to the conviction of the poacher, he said.

The female wolf had been monitored by state biologists since February 2013, when it was caught and fitted with a GPS collar.

It was a member of the Smackout Pack that ranges in Stevens and Pend Oreille counties, but appeared to have been traveling alone since the pack broke up in April, said Donny Martorello, department carnivore manager.

Tips on the case can be reported to the department’s Spokane office, (509) 892-1001, the state’s poaching tip line, (877) 933-9847 or on the agency website.

Rich Landers