Conservation officers from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment in Gaylord are seeking information on the possible poaching of a wolf that occurred in Cheboygan County sometime between Jan. 14 – 19. The wolf was one of two pups that were radio-collared by the DNRE and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services in October 2010 in Cheboygan County. The pups’ movements had been radio tracked with the last live signal occurring on Jan. 14. Wildlife biologists with the DNRE then received a mortality signal on Jan. 19 and located the collar from the wolf pup alongside Riggsville Road, approximately five miles east of Interstate 75 in Cheboygan County. The animal has not been recovered. The DNRE is focusing its investigation in the wolf pup’s territory in the townships of Burt, Inverness, Munro and Mullett in Cheboygan County.

"Every wolf that is poached complicates our efforts and the efforts of other Great Lakes states to get wolves off the endangered species list and return management to the state natural resource agencies," said DNR Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason. "Assistance from the public helps prove the point that Michigan takes wolf management seriously."

Anyone with information can contact Lt. Jim Gorno of the DNRE’s Law Division in Gaylord at 989-732-3541, extension 5100.  A $ 1000 reward has been offered by the Defenders of Wildlife and a $ 500 reward is being offered through the Timber Wolf Alliance for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for killing the wolf.  

The maximum penalty for poaching a wolf is 90 days in jail or a fine of up to $1,000, or both, plus reimbursement of $1,500 to the state for killing an endangered species. Poaching convictions also usually include a suspension of hunting privileges for a period of three years.

Wolves are a federally protected species in Michigan and cannot legally be killed except in the defense of human life. For more information on wolves in Michigan  CLICK HERE. Anyone with tips about this incident or other hunting violations should call the DNRE's Report All Poaching line, 24 hours a day, at 800-292-7800. Information can be left anonymously. The DNRE is committed to the conservation, protection, management, and accessible use and enjoyment of the state’s environment, natural resources, and related economic interests for current and future generations. For more information, CLICK HERE.