ENTERPRISE, Ore.—One of the Imnaha pack wolves was found dead yesterday in Wallowa County.

The wolf found was the yearling female collared on Feb. 25. The wolf’s radio collar emitted a signal indicating it had been motionless for a minimum of four hours. ODFW was able to reach the site and determine the wolf was dead in the afternoon on March 1.

The wolf’s carcass is being transported to Washington State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for a complete examination. While recovering the carcass, ODFW staff observed no visible indication of foul play or any other cause of death.

“Wolves and other wildlife can die in the wild for a variety of reasons,” said Russ Morgan, ODFW wolf coordinator. “U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and ODFW are working together to evaluate the death of this wolf, but we will not speculate on the cause until we receive results from a complete forensic examination.”

“While this individual wolf’s death is unfortunate, it is not expected to change the status of the pack, which at last count, had 14 other wolves,” he added.

It is unknown when the forensic examination will be complete.

For more information on wolves in Oregon.

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