Four local depredation reports, one confirmed wolf depredation
By Garrett Christensen on Tuesday, September 13th, 2022 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
NORTHEAST OREGON – Several Livestock Depredation Investigation reports have been released by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. These reports stem over investigations from the last several weeks. Of those reports, four were from Union, Baker and Wallowa County, one of those was noted as a confirmed wolf depredation, which took place in the Balloon Tree area of Union County last week.
The following are ODFW Livestock Depredation Investigation Reports from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
September 8, 2022 – Union County (Balloon Tree area)
Date Investigated: 9/8/22 Cause of death/injury: Confirmed
General situation and animal information: On 9/7/22, a herder found a 100 lb. dead sheep in a private commercial timber land allotment. Hide and tissue were missing from the rear of the hindquarters. It was estimated that the sheep died less than 24 hours prior to the investigation.
Physical evidence and summary of findings: There were 3-4 canine punctures on the neck behind the head. Diameter of punctures was ¼ inch and depth of trauma at the throat was greater than 1.5 inches though the neck was not broken, which is consistent with wolf depredation. This confirmed depredation is attributed to the Balloon Tree Pack.
August 30, 2022 – Union County (Craig Mountain area)
Date Investigated: 8/30/22 Cause of death/injury: Possible/Unknown
General situation and animal information: On 8/30/22, hunters found the carcass of a 475 lb, eight-month-old calf in a 1200-acre private land pasture. Large portions of muscle tissue and hide were missing from the hindquarters, but the calf was otherwise intact.
Physical evidence and summary of findings: There were no pre-mortem bite scrapes on the hide or hemorrhage in the underlying tissue that remained on the carcass. However, there was advanced decomposition and insufficient tissue remaining on some parts of the carcass to be certain the calf had not been attacked by a wolf. The determination of this investigation is “Possible/Unknown”.
August 26, 2022 – Wallowa County (Zumwalt Prairie)
Date Investigated: 8/26/22 Cause of death/injury: Other
General situation and animal information: Midday on 8/26/22, a ranch manager found the intact carcass of a 750 lb, eight-month-old calf in a 765-acre private land grass pasture. Some hide and muscle tissue were missing from the anus to groin on inside of thighs and the abdominal cavity was exposed, but all organs were still present.
Physical evidence and summary of findings: There were no pre-mortem bite scrapes on the hide or hemorrhage in the underlying tissue of the carcass in locations that wolves commonly attack. There was no evidence present that the calf had been attacked by a predator. The determination of this investigation is “other”.
August 26, 2022 – Baker County (Big Lookout Mt. area)
Date Investigated: 8/26/22 Cause of death/injury: Possible/Unknown
General situation and animal information: On 8/26/22, the carcass of a 500 lb, five-month-old calf was found in a 640-acre private land grass pasture. The hide and muscle tissue were missing from the base of the tail and stomach area.
Physical evidence and summary of findings: There were no pre-mortem bite scrapes on the hide or hemorrhage in the underlying tissue on the hind legs or front elbows where wolves commonly attack. However, there was advanced decomposition and insufficient tissue remaining on some parts of the carcass to be sure the calf had not been attacked by a wolf. The determination of this investigation is “Possible/Unknown”.
