ENTERPRISE — Authorities are seeking information and offering a $25,000 reward after the discovery of three gray wolves and two golden eagles poisoned in Wallowa County, according to news releases from state and federal wildlife agencies.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Oregon State Police announced a joint effort to investigate the deaths, offering the reward for any leads resulting in an arrest, criminal conviction, or civil penalty assessment.

The dead animals were found in February and March by state police. Among the remains were those of the wolves, eagles, a cougar and a coyote. Tests conducted by the Clark R. Bavin National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory confirmed the wolves and eagles had been poisoned.

The location of the killings falls within the Snake River Wildlife Management Unit and Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, about 10 miles northeast of Imnaha. While gray wolves in Wallowa County are not listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, they are protected by Oregon state law. Similarly, eagles are federally protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

In its news release, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said the person who placed the poison probably was targeting a wolf. The agency called the eagles, dogs and other carnivores killed collateral damage. The state agency said domestic dogs have also been killed in poisoning incidents, and since 2015, 19 wolves have been killed by poison in Oregon.

The investigation began in early February when ODFW received an alert of a dead wolf wearing a tracking collar in the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, according to the news release. A flight following the tracking signal confirmed a dead breeding female wolf. The other two, a breeding male and a juvenile, were also found dead.

Over several more weeks, staff from ODFW, OSP and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found the dead golden eagles, cougar, coyote and a dead Steller’s jay and black-billed magpie.

The source: a cow carcass laced with poison in a creek in the Imnaha River drainage.

Removal of the dead animals had to be treated as a hazardous material cleanup, with ODFW employees donning Tyvek suits, respirators, layers of gloves and eye protection, according to the news release. The state wildlife agency consulted with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to conduct the cleanup.

“Northeast Oregon is known for its natural resources and outdoor opportunities, so it’s just terrible to have this going on,” Bernadette Graham-Hudson, ODFW wildlife division administrator, said in the news release. “We hope whoever is poisoning wildlife is quickly caught and punished for the safety of people, wildlife, and pets in Northeast Oregon.”

ODFW warns hikers, mushroom pickers, wildlife watchers, hunters, anglers and others to take steps to protect their pets when out in Northeast Oregon.

• Keep your dog on a leash and under control. Don’t let pets eat anything they find in the forest.

• Ask a veterinarian for advice on what to carry to induce vomiting in a dog, and if poisoning is suspected, get the animal to a veterinarian immediately.

• Watch for dead birds or scavenging mammals. They can indicate poison.

• Watch for suspicious bait. A meat ball or piece of steak left out in the woods could be an indicator that someone is trying to poison wildlife in the area.

Officials said do not approach anyone suspected of poisoning. Instead, get a license plate number, description of a vehicle or person and note the and time of the incident.

Individuals with information may contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 503-682-6131, Oregon State Police dispatch at 800-452-7888, *OSP (*677), or email TIP@osp.oregon.gov.

Callers may remain anonymous. Reports of wildlife crimes can also be submitted online at www.fws.gov/wildlife-crime-tips.