CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) _ The Wyoming Game and Fish Department reports a wolf has been illegally shot in northwest Wyoming.

It is the first known illegal killing of a wolf in the state since the animals were removed from federal protection under the Endangered Species Act and their management was taken over by Wyoming, Idaho and Montana.

Sixteen other wolves have been killed legally in Wyoming since late March.

Wyoming Chief Game Warden Jay Lawson says the state agency takes its wolf management responsibility seriously and is offering a $3,000 reward for information about the illegal killing.