Officials have confirmed that an animal killed in January in southwestern New Mexico by a federal employee was a female Mexican gray wolf.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service made the announcement Wednesday, saying genetic tests confirmed it was a small, uncollared wolf.
In January, an employee with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services shot what officials described only as a "canine." The employee reported the shooting because the animal looked like a Mexican wolf after closer inspection.
Federal officials have been tightlipped about the case. They have not said what prompted the employee to shoot the animal.
The case has been submitted to the U.S. Attorney's Office for review.
The Fish and Wildlife Service says tests are still under way to help determine the wolf's pack association.