Authorities are offering a $25,000 reward for information regarding the illegal poisoning of three gray wolves, two golden eagles and other wildlife in Wallowa County.
This is the latest in a series of poisonings in eastern Oregon that have killed 19 wolves since 2015, and most recently, a domestic dog.
“Although wolves were likely the target, golden eagles, dogs, and other carnivores are also among the collateral damage in the ongoing poisonings in northeastern Oregon,” the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said. said.
Related:Oregon's wolf population remains flat for fourth year in a row
Wolf and eagle poisoned in February in eastern Oregon
Between February and March, Oregon State Police found the bodies of three wolves, two eagles, a cougar and a coyote in the Lightning Creek drainage, a tributary of the Imnaha River about 11 miles northeast of Imnaha.
Testing and testing concluded that all of the items were laced with poison, according to a news release.
In Oregon, poisoning a wolf is a Class C felony, punishable by a $125,000 fine and up to five years in prison. New sentencing guidelines passed by the state Legislature in 2019 also increase poaching of federally protected wildlife, such as golden eagles, and poaching of multiple animals from misdemeanors to felonies.
The Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest, criminal conviction, or assessment of civil penalties in the case.
Hunting preference points are also provided as incident information.
Oregon authorities warn dog owners
State officials said people traveling with dogs in northeastern Oregon's national forests should keep an eye on them.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says, “Hikers, mushroom pickers, wildlife watchers, hunters, and anglers should take steps to protect their pets while enjoying recreational activities in Northeast Oregon.” Ta.
Furthermore, wolves and domestic dogs died from poisoning.
In addition to the latest incident, OSP Fish and Wildlife is also seeking the public's help in identifying those responsible for additional wolf, wildlife, and domestic dog deaths at several other locations in Wallowa County.
Police highlighted the following incidents:
- In July and October 2023, police responded to the illegal adoption of two poisoned wolves at the Chesnimunas Wildlife Management Division, about 30 miles northeast of Enterprise. The cause of death was determined to be poisoning.
- In April, police responded to the illegal capture of a suspected poisoned wolf at Wenaha Wildlife Control, about eight miles west of Troy.
- In April, police responded to a poisoned domestic dog inside Sled Springs Wildlife Control. This location is approximately 9 miles north of Enterprise. Poisoning was confirmed at a veterinary hospital.
- In April, police responded to another suspected poisoned dog within the Snake River Management Department. This location is approximately 9 miles north of Imnaha.
How to report information about an incident
Anyone with information regarding this incident should call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at (503) 682-6131 or Oregon State Police Dispatch at (800) 452-7888, *OSP (*677) or TIP@osp Email .oregon.gov. . Callers can remain anonymous. The public can also report wildlife crimes to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service online at fws.gov/wildlife-crime-tips.
How to keep your dog safe
ODFW offered advice on protecting pets from poisonous substances.
- Keep your dog on a leash and under control. Don't let them eat anything they find in the forest.
- Before you go, learn what to bring to induce vomiting in your dog and ask your veterinarian for advice. If you think your pet may have ingested a poisonous substance, seek veterinary care immediately.
- Watch out for dead birds and mammals (scavengers) that may be poisonous.
- Find out what a poisoned corpse looks like. This can be difficult to spot, but keep an eye out for any unnatural-looking substances on the carcass (powders or strange colors).
- Be careful of suspicious bait. Unnatural objects, such as meatballs or pieces of steak, in the woods may indicate that someone is trying to poison wildlife in the area.
- Stay away from anyone you suspect of having poisoned you. Get details such as license plate, vehicle and person description, date and time of incident.
Cleanup from Challenge Contamination
On February 3, ODFW received a death alert for a collared wolf at the remote Hells Canyon National Recreation Area.
Staff confirmed that the breeding female in the herd was dead, and later discovered the deceased breeding male and juvenile.
Over the next several weeks, ODFW and OSF Fish and Wildlife continued to discover carcasses of animals, including golden eagles, cougars, coyotes, dead Steller's jays and magpies, officials said.
ODFW and OSP F&W discovered the source was a poisoned cow carcass in a stream in the Imnaha River drainage.
Working with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, ODFW staff in hazardous materials placed the cow carcass on a tarp, placed it in netting, and transported it from the creek by helicopter to Arlington for toxic waste treatment and disposal. was transported to a facility. According to officials, among them.
“Northeast Oregon is known for its natural resources and outdoor opportunities, so it's really terrible for something like this to happen,” said Bernadette Graham-Hudson, ODFW Wildlife Division Manager. “For the safety of the people, wildlife, and pets of Northeast Oregon, we hope that whoever is poisoning wildlife is caught and punished soon.”
Zach Urness has been an outdoor reporter in Oregon for 16 years and is the host of the Explore Oregon podcast. Arness is the author of Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon and Hiking Southern Oregon. He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him at @ZachsORoutdoors in X.
