$100K Reward Offered For Information On Mexican Gray Wolf Found Dead In Arizona; Fewer Than 260 Remain In The Wild

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Arizona Game and Fish Department have confirmed the tragic death of Hope, a Mexican gray wolf (F2979) who had been living west of Flagstaff, Arizona, since June. Hope was found dead on November 7th near Forest Service Road 2058 and East Spring Valley Road.

This devastating loss further imperils the critically endangered Mexican gray wolf species, which struggles to recover with fewer than 260 individuals remaining in the wild.

Authorities and conservation nonprofits are offering a combined reward of $103,500 for information leading to a conviction and arrest in this case. No additional details about Hope’s death have been released as the investigation is ongoing.

Hope was first documented north of Interstate 40 near Flagstaff in the summer of 2024, she was captured, GPS-collared, and released in July. DNA linked her to the Tu Dil Hil pack in the MWEPA. Efforts to translocate her and a companion wolf back to the MWEPA began in October but was haulted when she was found dead. The fate of her companion remains unknown.

“We’re devastated to hear of Hope’s death, as are the many other supporters who followed her journey. The Wolf Conservation Center and our partners, along with federal and state agencies, have pledged a combined $103,500 reward for any information about the illegal killings of Mexican gray wolves. If the investigation reveals that Hope was illegally killed, federal and state agencies should seek justice for her, as they would for any other poached species,” Regan Downey, Director of Education for the Wolf Conservation Center, told WAN.

According to the Center for Biological Diversity, wolves like Hope and the Kendrick Peak pack had strong public support in northern Arizona and beyond. In 2021, Flagstaff passed a resolution backing Mexican gray wolf recovery to restore ecological balance and boost wolf-related tourism. Scientists advocate expanding recovery efforts to include the Grand Canyon ecoregion and the southern Rockies.

“We, along with many of our supporters and partners, have followed Hope’s journey closely—she was a symbol of resilience for many of us, and we are deeply saddened to hear of her death,” Leslie Williams and Samantha Attwood, founding members of The #RelistWolves Campaign, told WAN. “We’re grateful that an investigation is underway, and if it reveals that Hope was killed by a person, we urge authorities to hold those responsible accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

Mexican gray wolves are protected under the Endangered Species Act. Killing the imperiled species is illegal and can result in jail time and fines.

Anyone with information on this case can call U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agents in Pinetop, Arizona, at (346) 254-0515; or the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Operation Game Thief at (800) 352-0700; or the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Operation Game Thief at (800) 432-4263.