Poaching 'considered' as factor Wallowa County wolves' 'unnatural' deaths

Oregon State Police are investigating to find out who killed two wolves in Wallowa County last month. The agency on Wednesday announced two adult wolves, one of them wearing a state tracking collar, were found dead on August 24. Wolves are an endangered species in Oregon, and killing them is illegal except under special circumstances outlined in the Oregon Wolf Plan. The state police announcement listed the cause of death as unknown, but state police spokesman Bill Fugate told The Oregonian/Oregonlive the wolves' manner of death "does not appear to be natural." Asked whether the wolves were poached, Fugate said, "It's definitely being considered." In Wallowa County, where wolves are protected under the state endangered species act but not the federal act, poaching a wolf can bring a year in jail and a fine of up to $6,250...more