The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a $10,000 reward for information about the killing of an endangered gray wolf found in southern Oregon.
A radio-collared male wolf, known as OR186, was found dead on Oct. 7 on public land in Lake County north of Yamsay Mountain and about 10 miles from Jackson Creek Campground, according to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service news release. That area is north of Klamath Falls and about 30 miles east of Crater Lake as the crow flies.
The wildlife service did not immediately respond to questions about how the wolf died, but characterized its death in the news release as an “illegal killing.” The agency is offering to pay anyone who brings it information that leads to civil or criminal penalties against the alleged killer.
Gray wolves in Lake County are protected under the Endangered Species Act.
Ranchers in southern Oregon have contended the wolf population has recovered from endangered levels and that the animals pose a threat to livestock. Senate Bill 777, which went into effect on Jan. 1, increased compensation for ranchers who suffer wolf-related livestock losses.
U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz, a Republican from Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District, has also been pushing for gray wolves to be removed from the Endangered Species Act.
The wolf population in Oregon surpassed 200 for the first time in 2024, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s annual report. At least 22 wolves were killed by humans in 2024.
Anyone with information about the wolf’s death can get in touch with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at (503) 682-6131 or contact Oregon State Police at (800) 452-7888 or tip@osp.oregon.gov.