Confirmed wolf depredations in Baker and Umatilla Counties
By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Tuesday, July 27th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories Eastern/Southeast Oregon News Eastern/Southeast Oregon Top Stories
BAKER COUNTY – (Information from the ODFW Livestock Depredation Investigation Reports)
July 26, 2021 – Baker County (Manning Creek area)
Date Investigated: 7/26/21 Cause of death/injury: Confirmed
General situation and animal information: On the afternoon of 7/25/21 a livestock producer, while checking cattle, found an injured 850 lb., 1.5-year-old steer on a 3000+ acre private-land pasture. The steer was moved to a squeeze chute for examination by ODFW the next morning. The steer was estimated to have been injured 10-12 days before the examination.
Physical evidence and summary of findings: The steer was examined, and the hair was shaved around the injuries. The steer had parallel pre-mortem tooth scrapes on the rear of both back legs above the hock. There were over 40 bite scrapes at least 1/8 inch wide and up to 4 1/2 inches long above the left hock associated with deep tissue trauma and missing tissue. There were numerous similarly sized tooth scrapes to the left and right flanks, right rear leg above the hock, and behind the right shoulder. The location, size, number, and direction of tooth scrapes are consistent with wolf attack injuries on adult cattle. The depredation is attributed to the Lookout Mountain Pack.
July 23, 2021 – Baker County (Nodine Creek area)
Date Investigated: 7/23/21 Cause of death/injury: Confirmed General situation and animal information: On the morning of 7/23/21 a livestock producer, while checking cattle, found a dead 850 lb., 1.5-year-old heifer on private land within a 3200+ acre mixed public/private land pasture. The carcass was intact and complete, except for scavenging on the upper hindquarters, groin, right flank, and some organs. The majority of the hide remained. The heifer was estimated to have died late in the day on 7/22/21 or in the early morning of 7/23/21.
Physical evidence and summary of findings: A struggle scene was found approximately 50 yards from the carcass, and a blood trail that led from the struggle scene to the carcass. Blood on the ground and on overhanging branches was from a standing animal, and wolf tracks were found along the trail. The hair was shaved around the front and rear right legs, and the entire carcass was skinned. There was pre- mortem hemorrhaging and muscle tissue trauma on the inside and back of the left rear leg from below the hock to the groin, as well as to the left flank. Tissue trauma extended up to 1 inch deep. The right rear leg had numerous pre-mortem tooth scrapes to the rear and inside of the leg above the hock. The tooth scrapes were up to 3/16 of an inch wide and ranged from 5/8 of an inch to over 3 inches long. The location, size, number, and direction of tooth scrapes are consistent with wolf attack injuries on adult cattle. The depredation is attributed to the Lookout Mountain Pack.
July 23, 2021 – Umatilla County (Meacham area)
Date Investigated: 7/23/21 Cause of death/injury: Confirmed
General situation and animal information: While checking cows a livestock producer’s range rider found the remains of a dead 5-month-old, 300 lb. calf late in the morning of 7/23/21 in a 4000-acre forested private-land pasture. Most muscle tissue was consumed except for below the elbow and stifle joint, back of the neck, and head. Hide remained on the rear legs below the mid-point of the shank bone, on the front legs below the mid-point of the forearm, on the dorsal side of the head, and areas that covered the back, neck, and shoulders. The calf was estimated to have died the morning of 7/22/21.
Physical evidence and summary of findings: A kill scene was found with disturbed soil and blood from a standing animal. The legs of the calf were shaved where muscle tissue remained, and all remaining hide was skinned. Numerous pre-mortem tooth scrapes and punctures up to 3/16 inch wide and 3 inches long wide were found on both rear legs above the hock as well as on the inside of each front leg between the knee and elbow. Underlying pre-mortem hemorrhaging and/or muscle trauma was observed in all areas with bite scrapes. The calf had pre-mortem bite wounds indicating it was attacked by a predator. The size, number, and location of wounds are consistent with wolf attacks on calves. This depredation event is attributed to the OR30 Wolves.
