SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife reports that wolves are confirmed to have killed a 450-pound calf on private land in the Meacham Creek area of Umatilla County. The severely injured calf was found partially underwater in a pond on a forested cattle pasture on Saturday.
An employee of the cattle operator pulled the calf out of the water and tried to save it, but it died a few minutes later. The employee noticed marks on the calf and saw open wounds between the udder and the anus. ODFW was contacted and arrangements were made to examine the animal and remove it from the scene. ODFW skinned the carcass Monday.
Investigators found several marks consistent with canine bite marks on the body along with hemorrhages under the marks. The attack points are also commonly observed on carcasses killed by wolves.
There was also deep tissue trauma under the bite marks. In addition, numerous wolf tracks were observed around the edge of the pond where the calf was found. The tracks were fresh and had not been disturbed by cattle use.
The bite marks and wolf tracks caused investigators to conclude the attack is confirmed to have been carried out by wolves. The depredation occurred within the area inhabited by the Meacham wolf pack.