Rangers at Yellowstone National Park are currently investigating the disappearance of a well-known female wolf from one of the park’s most popular packs. The prevailing theory is that she may have been illegally shot and killed by poachers.
A reward of $31,000 has been offered for any information regarding the death of Wolf 1478F. The wolf went missing on Christmas Day after her tracking collar indicated a mortality signal, according to park officials and advocacy groups.
Wolf 1478F belonged to the Junction Butte pack, which is known for being one of the most observed and photographed wolf families in the area due to its close proximity to the park’s busy roads.
After receiving the signal from the wolf’s tracker indicating her death, investigators searched for her remains but only found her collar, which had been removed and placed in a tree, according to the activist group Large Carnivore Fund.
Authorities believe that Wolf 1478F may have been killed by poachers and her body taken away, as they were unable to locate her remains.
The incident occurred in Montana’s Wolf Management Unit 313, an area that had been closed for hunting since November 16 after reaching the legal quota.
The Junction Butte pack, which mainly resides within the safety of the national park, is known for its lack of fear towards humans. In November, the pack consisted of 15 members, with 13 black wolves and 2 gray wolves.
A reward of $31,000 is being offered for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the wolf’s death. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks initially offered a $1,000 reward, which was later supplemented by an additional $30,000 from two wolf advocacy groups.
