Red Wolf Illegally Killed in North Carolina Prompts $15,000 Bounty for Info Leading to Arrest

A red wolf was illegally killed in North Carolina, putting on the table an available $15,000 prize that has been made public by the authorities for any information that results in the perpetrator's capture.

$15,000 Bounty for the Arrest of an Illegal Hunter

US Fish and Wildlife Service called for the public's involvement and assistance in the ongoing investigations on red wold that was killed illegally in Washington County. The wildlife officials are hoping to gather evidence that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrator.

Reports from, the authorities revealed that a red wolf was shot dead on May 18 near the fence line south of Newland Road.

Allegedly shot in the torso, the red wolf stumbled and fell, where it was finally found. Necropsy revealed that the lungs of the canine has collapsed.

$5,000 set aside for anyone who can give the information that can bring the case to prosecution.

Killing Red Wolves in North Carolina

Regulations that were created in 1995 for an experimental, non-essential population apply to red wolves. If a red wolf assaults a landowner's cattle or pets, they may be permitted to remove the wolf. Additionally, taking a red wolf on private property in the red wolf recovery area incidentally to any kind of otherwise legal activity, like trapping coyotes following state laws, does not violate federal regulations so long as the taking is not deliberate or willful.

The US Fish and Wildlife must be contacted if a red wolf is unintentionally killed within 24 hours of the incident

Red wolf incidents must be reported as soon as possible so that authorities can reduce disputes and remove any carcasses whilst they are still whole.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission was sued in September 2012 by the Animal Welfare Institute along with various organizations over the commission's decision to allow nighttime artificial light coyote hunting on private as well as public lands throughout North Carolina, including in the area that is home to the only wild population of red wolves.

This decision was made through a temporary rulemaking procedure. The NCWRC was accused of breaking the Administrative Procedure Act of North Carolina when it implemented this temporary rule, which greatly increased the possibility of red wolves being hurt or killed because they resembled coyotes.

Also Read: Captive-Bred Endangered Red Wolves Slated for Release in North Carolina After 2024 Extinction Threat

Latest Release From US Fish and Wildlife Service

The red wolf releases scheduled for this spring have been completed by the Red Wolf Recovery Program. Each of the adult and red wolf juveniles has an orange GPS collar that may be used for tracking and to identify them as red wolves, and are prohibited from being shot. They are also covered in orange luminous material to make them more visible on the roads.

To make it easier to recognize them on remote monitoring cameras and during sightings, each collar is inscribed with a black letter or number on it. Beginning in January 2024, attempts will be made to radio collar the pups.

Related Article: Wolves Officially Extinct in Andalucía, Spain Following Zero Sightings Reported Since 2020