One confirmed, 2 possible wolf depredations reported in Grouse Flats area in Wallowa County
By Shannon McKone on Monday, July 11th, 2022 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
WALLOWA COUNTY – (Investigation report from ODF&W)
July 6, 2022 – Wallowa County (Grouse Flats area)
Date Investigated: 7/6/22
Cause of death/injury: Confirmed (1), Possible/Unk (2)
General situation and animal information: On the morning of 7/6/22, agents of a livestock producer found the carcasses of three yearling cows in a 160 acre, private-land pasture. Two of the carcasses consisted of scattered bones and were estimated to have died approximately 1 week prior to the investigation. The third carcass was mostly intact, with one leg and most of the tissue on the hindquarters and torso missing. It was estimated that the yearling had died approximately 36 hours prior to the investigation.
Physical evidence and summary of findings: There was insufficient evidence remaining at the scene or on the bones for two of the yearlings to determine whether they had been attacked by a predator. As such, the determination for these animals is “Possible/Unknown”. More than 100 pre-mortem bite scrapes, measuring up to 3 inches long and 3/16 inches wide, and associated underlying pre-mortem hemorrhaging and tissue trauma with a depth of up to 1 ½ inches were found on the hindquarters of the intact carcass. The severity and locations of injuries are consistent with wolf attacks on yearling cattle and this confirmed depredation is attributed to the Grouse Flats Pack.
