Conservation groups offer $15K reward for info on wolf death

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — A coalition of conservation groups is offering a $15,000 reward for information on the poaching of the breeding female of the Wedge wolf pack in northeastern Washington state.

The wolf was found dead of a gunshot wound May 26 in the Sheep Creek area of Stevens County.

Conservation groups say the slain wolf had given birth to pups earlier this year. Because her death occurred when the pups would not yet have been fully weaned, the groups say her litter has likely starved to death.

Her death also marks the demise of the Wedge pack, which consisted of just two wolves. Wolves remain protected under state law in Washington.

There were 132 wolves living here at the end of 2020.