Illegal killing of endangered wolves in Arizona

Just two females left to care for pups

July 2010: Another endangered Mexican wolf has been found shot dead in Arizona. It is the second adult male of the Hawks Nest Pack to be killed illegally and the third Mexican wolf found dead in a month.

ENDANGERED: The Hawks Nest Pack now has only two females to look after and feed its seven pups Picture: US Fish and Wildlife Service

The body was discovered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service on the north-east of Big Lake, within two miles of where the last Hawks Nest shooting victim was found. The pack traditionally uses the area east of Big Lake on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests as their spring-summer breeding territory. There are now only two females - one breeding, the other a yearling - left to provide food for the pups that were produced this year, thought to be at least seven.

The service also took part in the investigation of a dead cow in the immediate vicinity of the dead wolf. The beast also died as a result of a gunshot wound sometime during the previous 24 hours and was not, at any time, fed upon by Mexican wolves.

‘I am deeply saddened by this news,' said Benjamin Tuggle, the service's Southwest Regional Director. ‘It is hard for me to understand why someone would violate the law so heartlessly by killing one of our nation's endangered species.'

A comprehensive investigation of this illegal shooting is underway. ‘We are bringing the full weight if the law to bear on this problem and will not stop until the person or persons responsible for these deaths are brought to justice,' said Tuggle.

The service is offering a reward of up to $10,000 and the Arizona Game and Fish Department Operation Game Thief is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the apprehension of those responsible for the wolf's death.