$15,000 Reward For Information On The Killing Of An Endangered Red Wolf In North Carolina; Only 13 Remain In The Wild

The Center for Biological Diversity is offering a $15,000 reward for information leading to a successful prosecution in the illegal killing of an endangered red wolf in Washington County, North Carolina.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a $5,000 reward last week, and the Center is offering an additional $10,000.

“We grieve the senseless killing of one of the most endangered mammals on the planet, and we want the perpetrator brought to justice,” said Will Harlan, Southeast director at the Center. “This is a cowardly act against one of the only red wolves in the wild. We hope someone steps forward with information.”

The red wolf was shot dead along a fence line south of Newland Road in Washington County on May 18th. A necropsy revealed that the wolf was shot in the torso, causing the animal to fall where it was found. Gunshots are the leading cause of death for red wolves.

Red wolves are among the most endangered carnivores in the world, with only 13 remaining in the wild today. Five counties in eastern North Carolina are home to the world’s only wild red wolf population.

According to the Center for Biological Diversity, red wolves were once spread across the southeast United States, but suffered a similar fate to that of their gray wolf cousins. People relentlessly persecuted them, to the extent that in 1980 — after the capture of the last remaining red wolves for a captive-breeding program — the species was declared extinct in the wild.

Red wolves are protected under the Endangered Species Act. Violations carry maximum penalties of $50,000 and a year in prison. Civil penalties can range up to $25,000 per violation.

Anyone with information on the red wolf killing should contact the North Carolina Division of Refuge Enforcement’s Capt. Frank Simms at (252) 216-7504 or Special Agent Matthew Brink at (919) 856-4786 ext. 37.