By Eric Mortenson
Capital Press
Oregon’s Imnaha wolf pack kills a ewe, state wildlife commission eases livestock protection rules.
A ewe found dead in northeast Oregon Jan. 30 was killed by members of the Imnaha wolf pack, according to an investigation by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The investigation didn’t take long. Officers found multiple wolf tracks in the snow near the carcass, which was in a paddock, and the ewe had suffered severe bites. It was partially consumed and still warm when discovered by the livestock owner, according to a department news release. Readings from a radio tracking collar showed a pack member, OR-4, was in the area Jan. 29 and 30.
A cow was attacked by the pack in August 2013, about five miles away.
In other wolf news, the state Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted rules in January that allow livestock owners, under certain circumstances, to shoot wolves without a permit if they are biting or killing livestock or guard dogs. The action is allowed if the wolves are east of Highways 395, 78, and 95, if the livestock owner didn’t attract them with bait and the attack happens on land owned or legally occupied by the producer. The incident must be reported to ODFW within 24 hours.