ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says a single gunshot wound is to blame for the death of a Mexican gray wolf that was found in southeastern Arizona in late March.
The agency identified the wolf as a female pup that belonged to the Hawks Nest Pack.
Agents with the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Arizona Game and Fish Department recovered the pup's carcass along Forest Road 249 west of Alpine. A necropsy determined the cause of death.
The Fish and Wildlife Service is offering up to $10,000 and Arizona's Operation Game Thief is offering another $1,000 for information leading to the conviction of the person or people responsible for the illegal shooting of this wolf or any other Mexican gray wolf.
Other organizations and private individuals have pledged an additional $46,000 in reward money.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.