Crime

Oregon Authorities Seek Public Help in Illegal Killing of Wolf in Union County

A female wolf is shown from the Minam pack outside La Grande after it was fitted with a tracking collar. Wolves continue to recover in Eastern Oregon after the state documented a third year of seven or more breeding pairs in the region east of U.S. Highways 97, 20, and 395. [Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife via AP, File]

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying those responsible for the illegal killing of a wolf in Union County. The incident came to light after troopers discovered a wolf tracking collar on January 29, 2025, near Catherine Creek Lane, approximately 11 miles southeast of Union, Oregon.

The collar, identified as OR-86, belonged to the alpha male of the Frazier Mountain pack, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). Despite the discovery of the collar, the wolf’s carcass has not been found. Authorities believe the collar was removed after the wolf was unlawfully killed, with the incident likely occurring sometime in January.

The illegal killing of a wolf is a serious offense under Oregon law, and officials are urging anyone with information to come forward. Tips can be reported to the Turn In Poachers (TIP) hotline at 1-800-452-7888 or by dialing *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone. Individuals are asked to reference case number SP25-032551 when providing information.

The Frazier Mountain pack, which includes OR-86, is one of several wolf packs monitored by ODFW in eastern Oregon. Wolves are a protected species in the state, and their management is a sensitive and often contentious issue among wildlife officials, conservationists, and local communities.

The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division emphasized the importance of public cooperation in solving wildlife crimes. “The illegal killing of wildlife undermines conservation efforts and threatens the balance of our ecosystems,” a spokesperson said. “We rely on the public’s help to hold those responsible accountable.”

This incident highlights ongoing challenges in wildlife management and the enforcement of laws protecting endangered and threatened species. Authorities are hopeful that with the public’s assistance, they can identify and prosecute those involved in this case.