By Richard Cockle, The Oregonian
LA GRANDE — A hunter shot an Oregon gray wolf last week in the Boise National Forest, the second Oregon wolf to die in Idaho.
The 85-pound male known as OR-16 was killed last Saturday near Lowman, Idaho, as part of a recreational hunt, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife reported Thursday. He was a member of the Walla Walla pack in northeastern Oregon and crossed the Snake River into Idaho last month.
Another Oregon wolf, OR-9, crossed the Snake River about a year ago and was illegally shot by a hunter who was issued a poaching warning. OR-9 was a litter mate of celebrity wolf OR-7 who wandered across Oregon and into California.
Rob Klavins, spokesman for the conservation group Oregon Wild, said the latest news is “particularly sad” coming right after a census showing Oregon wolf numbers climbing to at least 53 while wolf kills of ranchers’ livestock has declined.But Klavins also noted that roughly half the state’s wolves are less than a year old, and may not survive the winter.