$10,000 reward offered after endangered gray wolf illegally killed in Eastern Oregon

A $10,000 reward is being offered for information about the illegal killing of an endangered wolf in Morrow County, Ore.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the award Friday for information leading to the arrest, criminal conviction or civil penalty against whoever is responsible for killing a federally protected gray wolf in Eastern Oregon. The gray wolf is protected under the Endangered Species Act.

The wolf, a radio-collared male known as OR 159, was found dead on private property about 20 miles south of Heppner, which is about an hour and a half drive south of the Tri-Cities.

Oregon State Police are assisting U.S. Fish and Wildlife with the investigation. Anyone with information should call 503-682-6131 or OSP dispatch at 800-452-7888. Callers can also dial *677 or email TIP@osp.oregon.gov.

Tipsters can remain anonymous.

The gray wolf population in the region has surged in recent years, recovering to a population of at least 178 wolves in Washington in 2021.

Fish and Wildlife lists southern Morrow County as a wolf use area. The department estimates there are around 133 gray wolves in Eastern Oregon, as of their 2024 counts.

Eight wolves were illegally killed in 2023 in Oregon, the second highest number since 2000, according to their data. Of those, one was shot and the rest were poisoned.