A hunter has killed the first gray wolf seen in the Grand Canyon for 70 years.
The hunter told wildlife officers that he accidentally shot and killed a wolf with a radio collar near the Arizona border after allegedly mistaking it for a coyote.
The wolf is feared to be Echo, a female wolf who attracted national attention after wandering through several states to become the first of the protected animals seen at the Grand Canyon in 70 years.
Wolves in Utah are protected under the Endangered Species Act, which bans killing of the animals without a special permit, however, coyotes are allowed to be shot on sight.
The incident is being investigated by federal and state conservation officers as a possible violation of both US and Utah wildlife laws - the gray wolf is protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in most states.
A full investigation into the death of this wolf needs to be carried out and justice must be served.
This is a massive blow for conservation and a senseless death at the hands of a hunter.
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