Two confirmed depredations, one in Umatilla County and one in Baker County
By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Friday, October 1st, 2021 in Columbia Basin News Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
BAKER & UMATILLA COUNTIES – (Investigation reports from the ODFW)
September 28, 2021 – Baker County (Amalgamated Mine area)
Date Investigated: 9/28/21 Cause of death/injury: Confirmed
General situation and animal information: On the morning of 9/28/21, a hunter found a dead approximately 400 lb. calf in a large, forested public-land pasture. The carcass was intact with the entrails and most of the muscle tissue consumed from the left rear leg. The calf was estimated to have died in the early morning hours of 9/28/21.
Physical evidence and summary of findings: The carcass was skinned. Over 30 pre-mortem parallel tooth scrapes up to 3/16 inch wide and 2 1/2 inches long were found on the outside and back of the left hind leg above the hock. Similarly sized pre-mortem tooth scrapes were also found on the right hind leg above the hock and both elbows. The location, size, number, and direction of tooth scrapes are consistent with wolf attack injuries on calves. This depredation occurred within the Keating AKWA and is believed to have been caused by wolves of the Keating Pack.
September 28, 2021 – Umatilla County (Ukiah Valley area)
Date Investigated: 9/28/21 Cause of death/injury: Confirmed
General situation and animal information: On the morning of 9/28/21, a ranch hand found a dead calf in a 200-acre flat, grassland private pasture. The calf was approximately 6 months old and weighed about 500 pounds. The carcass was fed on below the anus and pelvis area and on the right front shoulder above the elbow. It was estimated the calf was killed the night of 9/27/21 or the morning of 9/28/21.
Physical evidence and summary of findings: The calf was shaved and skinned on both hindquarters above the hock, both front legs above the elbow, and along parts of the spine. Numerous pre-mortem tooth scrapes, punctures, and tears were found on the backside of both hindquarters above the hock, the groin, both front legs above the elbow, and smaller wounds on both sides of the spine. Tooth scrapes were up to 1/4” wide and up to 4” long with pre-mortem hemorrhage and tissue trauma underneath up to 1 1/2” deep. The calf had pre-mortem bite wounds indicating it was attacked by a predator. The size, number, location, and severity of wounds were consistent with wolf attacks on calves. This depredation happened in the same pasture as the depredations investigated on 9/25/21. It is currently unknown what wolves are responsible for this depredation. ODFW is monitoring the Fivemile Pack and new wolves to determine which are responsible.
