Six dead gray wolves have been discovered, according to wildlife officials, who claim that the animals are being poisoned to death in a rural area of Washington.
According to the state Fish and Wildlife Department, four carcasses were found in February and two more were found recently.
According to toxicology findings, all six of the wolves' deaths were caused by poisoning, the department reported.
Since last year, Fish and Wildlife police have been conducting investigations.
The federal government has declared gray wolves endangered in the western two-thirds of the state, and the state has categorized them as endangered.
Killing an animal that is a member of an endangered species in the state is a misdemeanor, and offenders risk up to $5,000 in fines and a year in jail.