May 3, 2012 -
Wildlife crews say they believe the carcass of an animal found in northeastern Oregon in March was a wolf that had been killed illegally.
Oregon state police say the carcass was found near Cove, east of La Grande off the Wallowa Mountains, a week after it had died.
Tests have been done at an Idaho state forensics laboratory, but officials haven't yet said the cause of the animals death.
Police say the state Endangered Species Act protects wolves in all parts of Oregon. Federal law in says in western Oregon, wolves can only be killed in the defense of a human life, or with a special permit.
