First Grand Canyon Wolf Seen In 70 Years Shot Dead By Utah Hunter, What Happened To Hunter?

Grand Canyon Wolf - The famed gray wolf, "Echo, that had traveled to the Grand Canyon from the Northern Rockies late last year is officially dead, according to the National Geographic. A three-year-old female, the Grand Canyon wolf was the first gray wolf to be spotted in the region since the 1940s, according to Climate Progress.

The gray Grand Canyon wolf was reportedly killed last year by a Utah hunter. She was able to garner international attention due to having roamed Wyoming, becoming the first of the protected animals seen at the Grand Canyon in Arizona in 70 years.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wednesday, the Grand Canyon wolf, whose astonishing trek made national headlines, was shot near Beaver, Utah because the hunter mistook her for a coyote.

The death of the Grand Canyon wolf was confirmed through genetic tests conducted at the University of Idaho. The tests found that the DNA sample taken from the wolf killed on December 28 was identical to the DNA in scat samples taken from Echo.

Authorities have not released the name of the coyote hunter. It was in December that he reported the accidental shooting of the Grand Canyon wolf to Utah wildlife officers, reported The Guardian.

"It's tragic that Echo traveled over 500 miles (800km) only to be cut down by an incredibly irresponsible coyote hunter," according to Bethany Cotton, wildlife program director for WildEarth Guardians.

The Fish and Wildlife Service also revealed for the first time this week that the Grand Canyon wolf had been radio-collared roughly a year ago, in January 2014. This reportedly suggests Echo had traveled at least 750 miles (1,200 kilometers) before being accidentally shot dead.

Utah wolves are protected under the Endangered Species Act. Hunting the animals can bring penalties of up to a year in prison and tens of thousands of dollars in fines. According to a spokesperson for the Fish and Wildlife Service, who would not comment on the shooting of the Grand Canyon wolf, an investigation is under way.

"It's very sad news," said Michael Robinson, a conservationist and wolf advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity. "We and a lot of other people were rooting for her. Echo's death illustrates the peril wolves face even under the protection of the Endangered Species Act."