The Oregon State Police (OSP) Fish & Wildlife Division is partnering with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement to investigate the unlawful poisoning of three gray wolves, two golden eagles, a mountain lion, and a coyote in the Imnaha River drainage in February of 2024 (link to USFWS Press Release). It should be noted that the suspected source of poison was removed from the landscape by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to prevent further poisonings.
In addition to the aforementioned incident, the OSP Fish & Wildlife Division is also asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the person(s) responsible for the unlawful take of additional gray wolves, and the killing of domestic dogs in several other locations in Wallowa County:
- During the months of July and October of 2023, F&W Troopers responded to the unlawful take of two wolves respectively, which had been poisoned within the Chesnimnus Wildlife Management Unit, approximately 30 miles northeast of Enterprise. The poisonings and cause of death were confirmed through the Clark R. Bavin National Fish and Wildlife Forensic Laboratory.
- During April 2024, F&W Troopers responded to the unlawful take of a wolf, which is suspected of being poisoned in the Wenaha Wildlife Management Unit, approximately five miles west of Troy. Investigators are awaiting a confirmed cause of death from the National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory.
- During April 2024, F&W Troopers responded to a domestic dog which was poisoned and within the Sled Springs Wildlife Management. This location is approximately nine miles north of Enterprise. The poisoning was confirmed through a veterinary clinic.
- During late April 2024, F&W Troopers responded to another domestic dog which is suspected of being poisoned within the Snake River Management Unit. This location is approximately six miles north of Imnaha.
Anyone with information regarding these cases is urged to contact OSP Senior Trooper Sean Carothers through the Turn in Poachers (TIP) hotline at 1-800-452-7888 or dial *OSP (mobile). TIPs can remain anonymous.
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