The U.S. Fish and Wildife Service has announced that deceased wolf no. 28 did not die of natural causes. It was shot and dumped in the Madison River a quarter mile north of the Gray Cliff fishing access in Gallatin County, Montana.This area is on the northwest edge of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem near where the Madison runs out of the mountains, and not far from the origin of the Missouri River at Three Forks.
The Service is offerring $1000 reward for information. If you have any call the US Fish and Wildlife Service at 406-247-7355 or the Gallatin County Shefiff (Bill Slaughter) at 406-582-2100.
No. 28 was the biggest wolf introduced to Yellowstone -- 135 pounds upon captivity. The US Fish and Wildlife Service news release, however, gave its weight as 150 pounds [!!]. Was that a typo? Did it grow that big?
No. 28 had been a lone wolf since its release in April 1996.
Early reports are that no. 28 had been shot several times and dumped in the Madison. It is not known where the wolf was shot. Grey Cliff access is on a small piece of BLM land in an area otherwise state of Montana and private land.
No. 28 had not been spotted during five weeks of aerial tracking so a special effort was made to search more widely. A mortality signal from the wolf's collar was received.
According to the news release, the wolf was found dead and frozen into the river with the radio collar on and still working.
© 1997 Ralph Maughan
Not to be reprinted, archived, redistributed, etc., without permission.