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10% of the population of this critically endangered species was shot and killed in the last 3 months
Story by Eric Zerkel http://stories.weather.com/story/8795
Little can be heard on a cool October day in a remote stretch of North Carolina wetland, until the gunshots ring out.
A red wolf's body slumps to the ground. Blood seeps into the soil, molding the earth into a coagulated clump of gore. Breathing slows, eyes shut, the heart stops. Now, only around 100 wolves remain.
During a three-week stretch from Oct. 28 to Nov. 19, 2013 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) recovered the bodies of five red wolves with gunshot wounds, and more mysteriously, the frayed collar of a sixth, indicating potential foul play. After more than a month of silence, the USFWS discovered the bullet-ridden body of a seventh red wolf, signaling the rash of deaths may continue into the new year.
All told, nearly 10 percent of red wolves monitored by the USFWS died during the span, putting both the critically endangered species, and recovery efforts, on the brink of extinction yet again.
Anyone found responsible for "illegally taking" or killing the animals is subject to up to a year in prison and $100,000 fine, but the threat of punishment, and a hefty reward for information still hasn't stimulated any leads. ..........
A red wolf's body slumps to the ground. Blood seeps into the soil, molding the earth into a coagulated clump of gore. Breathing slows, eyes shut, the heart stops. Now, only around 100 wolves remain.
During a three-week stretch from Oct. 28 to Nov. 19, 2013 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) recovered the bodies of five red wolves with gunshot wounds, and more mysteriously, the frayed collar of a sixth, indicating potential foul play. After more than a month of silence, the USFWS discovered the bullet-ridden body of a seventh red wolf, signaling the rash of deaths may continue into the new year.
All told, nearly 10 percent of red wolves monitored by the USFWS died during the span, putting both the critically endangered species, and recovery efforts, on the brink of extinction yet again.
Anyone found responsible for "illegally taking" or killing the animals is subject to up to a year in prison and $100,000 fine, but the threat of punishment, and a hefty reward for information still hasn't stimulated any leads. ..........
