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Public help is sought to solve deaths of 7 wolvesBy Thomas StaufferARIZONA DAILY STAR The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is asking the public for information in the deaths of seven Mexican gray wolves in Eastern Arizona and Western New Mexico since March. Rewards of up to $10,000 are offered to anyone who can assist agents in the arrests of those responsible for the deaths of the wolves, a species that was reintroduced in 1998, said Victoria Fox, a service spokeswoman in Albuquerque. The deaths classified as suspicious are: * A male alpha wolf found dead Sept. 28 one mile east of Snow Lake in the Gila National Forest in New Mexico. * A male found dead Sept. 24 along U.S. 180 west of Silver City, N.M. * An alpha female found dead Sept. 15 near Snake Creek in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Eastern Arizona. * A wild-born pup found dead Aug. 26 near Wild Cat Point in the Apache-Sitgreaves. * A yearling found dead June 9 near Centerfire Creek in the Apache-Sit-greaves. * An alpha female found dead May 25 near Mallory Springs in the Apache-Sitgreaves. * An alpha male found dead March 9 east of Vernon, in Apache County. Two other deaths since March are no longer being investigated. Both were deemed accidents because the wolves were hit by vehicles, Fox said. Killing a Mexican gray wolf carries a penalty of up to $25,000 and six months in jail, she said. People with information are asked to call one of these agencies: * Arizona Game and Fish Department Operation Game Thief, toll-free at 1-800-352-0700. * White Mountain Apache Tribe at 928-338-1023. * U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Mesa at 480-967-7900 or in Pinetop at 928-367-5689. * Contact reporter Thomas Stauffer at 573-4197 or at stauffer@azstarnet.com.
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