1 Gray Wolf Released in Yellowstone Park Project Is Missing, Feared Dead

One of 14 gray wolves released into Yellowstone National Park in a controversial plan to bring the predator back to the Rocky Mountains is missing and feared dead, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Friday.

A radio collar used to help biologists track the animal was found east of Red Lodge, Mont., outside the park, but no signs of the animal were found.

Wildlife biologists believe that the collar was taken off, rather than that it slipped off, said Mike Smith, a spokesman at the agency’s regional office here.

Scientists became suspicious when the radio collar sent out a “mortality” signal, which is a doubling of the signal when the animal is stationary for at least four hours.

According to the signal, the animal is a male. A reward of $1,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any individual responsible for taking a wolf.

Under special rules of the Endangered Species Act, killing one of the gray wolves in this project could result in a fine of up to $100,000 and up to one year in prison, Smith said.

In all, 29 Canadian wolves were released into Yellowstone and the Idaho wilds in January in an attempt to re-establish the wolf in the region from where it has been absent for more than 60 years.

But ranchers, who are challenging the reintroduction plan in federal court, say they fear the predator will attack and kill livestock.