The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission are requesting assistance with an investigation involving the suspected illegal take of a radio-collared red wolf that was recently found dead. The federally protected red wolf was found with an apparent gunshot wound on Sept. 30, 2014,
east of Columbia, in Tyrrell County, North Carolina. Based on body condition and field sign, the actual date of death is estimated to be Sept. 26, 2014.
This is the third red wolf death of 2014 resulting from a suspected gunshot. The previous two suspected gunshot deaths occurred in January and March. A total of 10 wild red wolves were known to have died in 2014, including two struck and killed by vehicles, one died incidental to otherwise legal activities, one due to health reasons, three were confirmed or suspected gunshot deaths, and the causes of three incidents are currently unknown. Two of these cases are currently pending necropsies. The remaining wolf death for 2014 is undetermined.
The red wolf in North Carolina is protected under the Endangered Species Act as an experimental, non-essential population. This means that relaxed regulations allow landowners to kill a red wolf if it attacks their livestock or pets. Additionally, a red wolf that is taken incidentally to any type of legal activity (e.g., trapping coyotes following state regulations) on private lands in the red wolf recovery area does not constitute a violation of the federal regulation, provided that the taking is not intentional or willful, and is reported to the Service or the Commission with 24 hours. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service believes that no legitimate conservation purpose would be served by bringing an enforcement action under the ESA in such cases, and only intentional or willful take will be prosecuted on private lands.
It is important to report red wolf incidents quickly so that U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel can respond quickly to minimize conflicts and retrieve any carcasses for necropsy before such carcasses deteriorate to the degree that necropsy results are compromised.
If someone accidentally kills a red wolf, they must report it by calling the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service toll-free at 1-855-496-5837 or the N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission at 1-800-662-7137.
Anyone with information that directly leads to an arrest, a criminal conviction, a civil penalty assessment, or forfeiture of property on the subject or subjects responsible for the suspected illegal take of a red wolf may be eligible for a reward. The Service is offering a reward of $2,500 for information that leads to the successful prosecution in this case.
Anyone with information on the death of this red wolf or any others, past or future, is urged to contact Resident Agent-in-Charge John Elofson at 404-763-7959, Refuge Officer Frank Simms at 252-216-7504, or N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission Officer Robert Wayne at 252-216-8225.