Multiple Ongoing Wolf Depredation Investigations in Eastern Oregon
By Garrett Christensen on Thursday, September 29th, 2022 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
UNION COUNTY – (Release from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife)
September 26, 2022 – Union County B (Palmer Junction Area)
Date Investigated: 9/26/22
Cause of death/injury: Confirmed
General Situation and Animal Information: On 9/24/22, a herder found an 80 lb. dead lamb in a private commercial timber land allotment. Hide and tissue was missing from the hindquarters, but the carcass was otherwise intact. It was estimated that the sheep died approximately 72 hours prior to the investigation.
Physical evidence and summary of findings: There were four pre-mortem tooth punctures measuring up to ¼ inch diameter and a ¾ inch long bite scrape on the neck with underlying trauma up to an inch deep. These injuries are consistent with wolf attacks on lambs. This depredation is attributed to the Balloon Tree Pack.
September 26, 2022 – Union County A (Palmer Junction Area)
Date Investigated: 9/26/22
Cause of death/injury: Probable
General situation and animal information: On the evening of 9/23/22, a herder found the skull and a large portion of the hide from a dead sheep in a private commercial timber land allotment. It was estimated that the sheep died less than 24 hours prior to being found.
Physical evidence and summary of findings: There were four pre-mortem tooth channels on the hide measuring up to ¼ inch wide and one inch long, indicating the sheep was attacked by a large predator. Given evidence on the hide, at the scene, and recent confirmed depredations in this area by wolves, the determination of this investigation is “probable”. The probable depredation is attributed to the Balloon Tree Pack
September 23, 2022 – Umatilla County (Meacham Area)
Date Investigated: 9/23/22
Cause of death/injury: Confirmed
General situation and animal information: On 9/23/22, a livestock producer found the carcass of an approximately 600 lb, eight-month-old calf in a 4,000-acre private land pasture The carcass was partially consumed. It was estimated that the calf died less than 24 hours prior to the investigation.
Physical evidence and summary of findings: There were more than 60 pre-mortem bite scrapes measuring up to three inches long and 1/4 inch-wide with underlying tissue trauma up to 3/4 inches deep on both hind legs above the hocks. There were more than 30 additional pre-mortem bite scrapes on the elbows and flanks of the calf. The severity, size, and locations of these wounds are consistent with injuries to calves attacked by wolves. This depredation is attributed to wolves of the Horseshoe Pack.
September 22, 2022 – Union County (Balloon Tree area)
Date Investigated: 9/22/22
Cause of death/injury: Possible/Unknown
General situation and animal information: On 9/21/22, a herder found the carcass of a dead sheep in a private commercial timber land pasture. At the time of the investigation, all that remained of the carcass was a six-inch by eight-inch piece of hide and rumen contents.
Physical evidence and summary of findings: There was insufficient evidence present at the scene or on the carcass remains to determine whether the sheep had been killed by a predator. The determination of this investigation is “Possible/Unknown”
September 20, 2022 – Union County (Balloon Tree area)
Date Investigated: 9/20/22
Cause of death/injury: Confirmed
General situation and animal information: On 9/20/22, a herder found the intact carcass of a 110 lb. dead sheep in a private commercial timber land pasture. It was estimated that the sheep died less than eight hours prior to the investigation.
Physical evidence and summary of findings: There were pre-mortem canine tooth punctures up to ¼ inch diameter and tooth scrapes up to 3 ½ inches long with associated underlying tissue trauma on the neck of the sheep. There was additional pre-mortem trauma present on the right hindquarter and left front leg of the carcass. The evidence present on the carcass is consistent with wolf attacks on sheep. This confirmed depredation is attributed to the Balloon Tree Pack
September 19, 2022 – Union County (Clark Mountain area)
Date Investigated: 9/19/22
Cause of death/injury: Other
General situation and animal information: On 9/18/22, the carcass of an approximately 500 lb, sevenmonth-old calf was found in a 3,500-acre private land pasture. Although the muscle tissue and organs of the calf were missing, the hide was almost entirely intact.
Physical evidence and summary of findings: No pre-mortem bite scrapes, punctures, or abrasions were evident on the calf’s hide, including in all areas where wolves commonly attack. There was no evidence that any predator was involved in the death of this calf. The determination of this investigation is “other”.
September 15, 2022 – Union County (Balloon Tree area
Date Investigated: 9/15/22
Cause of death/injury: Confirmed
General situation and animal information: On 9/14/22, a herder found a 120 lb. dead sheep in a private commercial timber land allotment. The organs were missing from the carcass, as was tissue on the front quarters and spine. It was estimated that the sheep died approximately 72 hours prior to the investigation.
Physical evidence and summary of findings: There were four pre-mortem, ¼-inch diameter, canine tooth punctures with associated underlying tissue trauma on the face and additional pre-mortem bite marks on the neck. The evidence present on the carcass was consistent with wolf attacks on sheep. This confirmed depredation is attributed to the Balloon Tree Pack.
September 9, 2022 – Wallowa County (Minam River area)
Date Investigated: 9/9/22
Cause of death/injury: Possible/Unknown
General situation and animal information: On 9/9/22, a nine-month-old, 350-pound dead calf was found in a partially timbered, 15,000-acre allotment on private land. The carcass was mostly consumed, with some hide remaining. The calf was estimated to have died about 48 hours before the investigation.
Physical evidence and summary of findings: There were no pre-mortem marks on the carcass indicative of a predator attack. The calf had a pre-mortem broken lower front leg. Due to the lack of hide and tissue remaining on the calf in areas that wolves attack, the determination is possible/unknown.
