The bodies of two collared wolves, which emitted a "mortality signal" on December 29, were located alongside an unidentified third wolf without a collar.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service, in collaboration with state wildlife protection personnel, launched an investigation upon receiving the distressing signals. Details regarding the cause of death were not disclosed to the public.

Among the deceased wolves, two were identified as the adult, breeding female OR115 and the subadult OR142 from the Gearhart Mountain Pack. The third wolf was determined to be an adolescent. This tragic incident took place in an area known for wolf activity that spans across Klamath and Lake counties.

The gray wolves residing in the western two-thirds of Oregon are a protected species, classified as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act. It is crucial to preserve and safeguard these wolves to maintain the delicate ecological balance.

As per the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, only seven wolves, including the breeding male, remain in the endangered Gearhart Mountain pack. This distressing news emphasizes the urgent need for protection and conservation efforts to secure the future of these beautiful creatures.

CNN has reached out to the US Fish and Wildlife Service for additional information regarding the circumstances surrounding the wolves' deaths. Authorities urge anyone with relevant information regarding the case to contact either the federal agency or the Oregon State Police.

The tragic fate of these endangered gray wolves highlights the ongoing struggles faced by conservationists and wildlife authorities in preserving the delicate balance of our ecosystem. It is imperative that we come together as a society to prevent such senseless acts of harm to our precious wildlife.