Environmental groups are calling on the U.S. government to release details of the accidental killing of a pregnant Mexican gray wolf.
Wolf AF1823 was named Asiza by schoolkids. She was 7 years old, pregnant and part of the Bear Canyon wolf pack in eastern Arizona.
Environmentalists point to a brief two sentence update on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website that says Asiza was mistakenly killed April 14.
Fish and Wildlife Service issued an order April 4 to kill one uncollared wolf after it hunted cattle. In its order, the agency notes Asiza had a collar but stated it wasn’t working.
"The removal order specifically says don’t kill any wolves with collars. Don’t kill the female who’s probably breeding or is expected to soon den and have new pups," said Greta Anderson, with the conservation group Western Watersheds Project.
In the order, officials wrote: "In addition, it is our intent not to remove the breeding female (wearing a nonfunctioning radio collar) who will likely whelp a new litter of pups soon. Therefore, a removal is only authorized for one uncollared wolf at this time which will ensure other collared wolves (AM2563, AF1823) remain in the pack."
"People should insist on full disclosure from the agency about what happened, why it happened and how they’re going to make sure it doesn’t happen again," said Sandy Bahr of the Sierra Club's Grand Canyon Chapter.
The agency did not respond to several calls for comment.
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