ODFW Called Baker County Depredation Last Week

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife was called out to the Big Lookout Mountain area of Baker County last week after two dead calves were discovered.  On Wednesday, the carcasses of two 10-month-old calves, weighing roughly 500 pounds each were found in a 5000-acre private-land pasture.  At the time of the investigation, one carcass consisted of the hide of the calf including the locations commonly attacked by wolves, while the other carcass was missing.  It was estimated that the calf whose carcass was found died approximately 3 days prior to the investigation.

ODFW said there were more than 25 pre-mortem bite scrapes measuring up to 3” long and 1/8” wide on the hide over the right hind leg above the hock with underlying bruising on the carcass that was found.  The severity, size, and location of these wounds are consistent with injuries to cattle attacked by wolves. 

The depredation was attributed to wolves of the Lookout Mountain Pack.  Since the other carcass was missing when the investigation occurred, that death last week labeled as Possible Depredation/Unknown.

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