Written by Katy Nesbitt, The Observer
DNA analysis will confirm species of animal found six miles north of Cove
An animal thought to be a wolf was found dead on private property six miles north of Cove on Friday morning.
At approximately 8:30 a.m., Kris Davis, senior trooper of the Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife division, received a call regarding the discovery of a dead animal that appeared to be a wolf.
Davis and Sgt. Isaac Cyr responded to the scene and contacted the property owner and the person who reported the death to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Oregon State Police and Fish and Wildlife investigated the death. The deceased animal’s measurements and physical appearance match that of a wolf, but confirmation of the species is pending through DNA analysis.
Bruce Eddy, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Northeast Oregon regional manager, said he doesn’t know how long the animal had been dead, but it had been long enough for maggots to cover its body.
After taking possession of the 97-pound animal, Oregon State Police took it to a local veterinarian for X-rays.
Eddy said the X-rays did not find an intact bullet, but there were potentially lead fragments. More will be determined after the carcass is thoroughly examined at a U.S. Fish and Wildlife forensics laboratory in Ashland.
Eddy said that besides trying to determine the cause of death, the lab will run DNA tests to determine the animal’s genetics, whether it is a wolf or a hybrid, and if it is related to any known wolf packs.
Wolf sightings and tracks are not uncommon in the Cove area and Fish and Wildlife biologists frequently receive reports of wolf activity. The agency documented a single set of wolf tracks on Jan. 31 and in October 2011.
Since district biologists documented the tracks in January, they have conducted track surveys on snowmobiles covering more than 120 miles, said Eddy. The agency also installed remote cameras in the area, but no additional signs of wolves were found.
Sharon Beck, a Cove rancher, is Fish and Wildlife’s contact on wolf activity in the Grande Ronde Valley.
She said on Feb. 14, close to where the dead animal was found on Friday, a woman saw what she thought was a wolf cross the road at 6:50 a.m.
“It had a wide face and a long tail and was packing something in its mouth,” said Beck.
Fish and Wildlife staff investigated, but found no tracks on the frozen ground.
Beck said other reports of two “big coyotes” were also made in the same area.
Beck said there have been reports in the valley between Cove and Elgin of three sets of tracks found together.
Wolves are protected by the state Endangered Species Act throughout Oregon. Except in the defense of human life or with a special permit, it is unlawful to kill a wolf. Doing so is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine up to $6,250.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Sgt. Cyr at 541-523-5867, ext. 4170.
Questions regarding wolf management or activity should be directed to Michelle Dennehy of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. She can be reached at 503-931-2748.