Overview
- Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks believes a wolf was illegally shot around 10 p.m. on Dec. 25 near Gardiner after a collar mortality signal from the Jardine area.
- Investigators found the GPS collar cut off and thrown into a tree, and they did not locate a carcass.
- The suspected killing site lies in Wolf Management Unit 313, which had closed to wolf hunting on Nov. 16 after the quota was met.
- Advocates identify the animal as Wolf 1478F of Yellowstone’s Junction Butte pack, a closely watched young female seen as a potential future alpha.
- No suspect has been identified, and donors added $30,000 to the agency’s initial $1,000 reward as authorities seek tips.