FLAGSTAFF, AZ — A $103,500 reward is being offered for information on the death of a Mexican gray wolf west of Flagstaff.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service says the federally protected Mexican gray wolf, known as Hope, was found dead near Forest Service Road 2058 and East Spring Valley Road on Nov. 7. However, details of how the wolf died have not been released. , several organizations have joined forces to offer a reward for additional information.

“Killing a Mexican wolf is a violation of state law and the Federal Endangered Species Act and may result in criminal penalties of up to $50,000 and/or not more than one year in prison and/or civil penalties of up to $25,000,”, says a release from the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

DNA shows that Hope came from the Tu Dil Hil pack in the Mexican Wolf Experimental Area.

Hope was first documented outside the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area north of I-14 near Flagstaff early this summer. She was captured and given a GPS tracking collar and released in July. She had meanwhile been seen traveling with another Mexican wolf in the area, but officials have been unable to capture the other wolf for using a GPS collar. The US Fish and Wildlife Service says they are not sure where the other wolf is at this time.

“Hope embodied the dreams of so many here in Flagstaff, including the school children who named her, that wolves can return and restore the natural balance of the Grand Canyon region,” said Taylor McKinnon, Southwest director of the Center for Biological Diversity. “Anyone with information about this senseless death should report it so that our moose-filled forests can once again thrive with the wolves that belong here.”

“Anyone with information about individuals in the area where the wolf was found, or information they believe may be helpful, is asked to call US Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agents in Pinetop, Arizona at (346) 254-0515,” the agency said. .

The wolf pictured above is a Mexican gray wolf, but not the one involved in this story.