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Feds Release Few Details In Possible Wolf Shooting

 It's been more than two months since a federal wildlife specialist reported shooting an animal in southwestern New Mexico that upon closer inspection looked like a Mexican gray wolf, but officials remain tightlipped about the case.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services confirmed Thursday that the shooting is under investigation.

Officials say they're awaiting lab results to determine whether the animal was an endangered wolf.

They're also refusing to comment on why the employee shot the animal.

Monthly reports on the Mexican wolf reintroduction program do not mention incident, but they note that a Wildlife Services employee was in the Mangus area investigating two cattle kills on Jan. 19.

Environmentalists have been critical of the government's management of Mexican wolves. They say the investigation raises more questions about the program's transparency.