Officials seek info about Ontonagon County wolf poaching

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service are seeking information about a wolf poaching case in Ontonagon County.

Officials say a wolf was illegally killed sometime between Nov. 12 and Nov. 16. The wolf's radio collar was found in the Stony Creek area of Ontonagon County, east of the former White Pine Mine.

According to a DNR news release, a reward of up to $6,500 is being offered for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for the killing.

Gray wolves recently were relisted by the federal government as an endangered species.

"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," DNR Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason said in a news release. "Any help toward closing this case is greatly appreciated. Assistance from the public helps prove the point that Michigan takes wolf management seriously."

Those with information about the case are asked to call the DNR's Report All Poaching (RAP) line at 1-800-292-7800, the USFWS at 989-686-4578, or contact a local Michigan DNR conservation officer. Information can be provided anonymously.

An online form to report poaching violations is available on the DNR's Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr under the Law Enforcement menu.