Young male wolf found dead near Mount Hood

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Wildlife officials say a wolf that might have been injured when it was captured and fitted with a radio collar was found dead near Mount Hood.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports the young male wolf found in November was one of only a few wolves that have taken up residence again near the volcanic mountain.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokeswoman Elizabeth Materna says a necropsy indicated the wolf was not poisoned or shot.

She says the animal’s cause of death is unknown, but it had an injury to its front paw that possibly occurred when it was captured.

Officials estimate that at least 124 wolves live in Oregon, mostly in the northeastern part of the state.