California Wolf Responsible For Oregon Depredation

An adult male wolf from California appears to have relocated to Central Oregon.  The Oregon Department of Fish and Game says CA102 entered Klamath County in May of this year.  It appears his movements have been localized in Klamath and Deschutes counties, and an area of known wolf activity (AKWA) was created on June 23rd.

The Department investigated the death of a three-month-old steer in NW Klamath County on June 21st; that depredation has been attributed to CA102.  This depredation triggered the designation of an Area of Depredating Wolves (ADW) and the preparation of an Area-Specific Wolf Conflict Deterrence Plan (Deterrence Plan) to assist producers and landowners on managing potential conflict with wolves. The ADW is intended to inform livestock owners where wolf-livestock conflicts are most likely to occur. The AKWAs, ADW, and Deterrence Plan may be modified based on depredation and wolf movements.

Wolves Remain Protected West Of Highway 395

Wolves in this area are currently listed as endangered under the Federal Endangered Species Act.  And management is regulated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, not ODFW.

According to ODFW, the area in where this wolf is roaming consists of several large acreage ranches with irrigated pastures surrounded by forested areas with ponderosa pine, Douglas and white fir. There are also large private industrial landowners with large acreage livestock allotments that consist of ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, white fir, and aspen and a large seasonal lake areas.

The dominant land uses within the ADW is cattle grazing and timber production. Landownership is primarily large private ranches and industrial timberland. Cattle grazing occurs spring through fall. Most cattle are shipped out of the area during winter months. The ADW includes the Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge.

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