Confirmed wolf kill in Baker County
By Shannon McKone on Friday, January 22nd, 2021 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
BAKER COUNTY – (Release provided by ODF&W) January 17, 2021 – Baker County (Foster Gulch area)
Date Investigated: 1/17/21 Cause of death/injury: Confirmed as wolf-caused
General situation and animal information: On the morning of 1/16/21, an approximately 1100 lb. 3-year-old injured cow was found on public land adjacent to a large private rangeland pasture. The cow was euthanized because it could not get up or walk. The carcass was partially skinned and examined by the ranch manager, and then buried to eliminate the predator attractant. Photographs of the injuries and an approximately 18×18-inch section of hide were provided to ODFW for examination. The injuries to the cow were estimated to have occurred late on 1/15/21 to early on 1/16/21.
Physical evidence and summary of findings: The pictures showed evidence of attack by a predator, with pre-mortem tissue damage and bleeding around the anus and on the tail, and pre-mortem tooth scrapes with associated muscle tissue bruising on the right hind leg. The section of hide from above the right hock was shaved and examined. There were more than 30 pre-mortem tooth scrapes that were up to 1/4 inch wide and 3 inches long with bruising apparent on the inside of the hide. Paired canine tooth scrapes were measured at approx. 1 7/8 to 2 inches. The location, size, number, and direction of tooth scrapes and
underlying muscle tissue trauma are consistent with wolf attack injuries to adult cows. The incident was wolf-caused but it may not meet the Wolf Plan definition of depredation (lawfully present livestock on public land). This attack is attributed to the Cornucopia Pack.
