Second Wolf Depredation Reported In Asotin County This Month

The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife is investigating another wolf depredation in Asotin County.  On Monday, a range rider reported seeing a wolf feeding on a dead 400-450 lb. calf in a 4,500-acre fenced pasture on private land.  The incident was reported to WDFW, who conducted an on-site investigation.

At the site, WDFW staff noted disturbed ground, unidentifiable tracks, and a blood trail leading to the carcass, along with evidence the carcass had been dragged while fed upon. WDFW staff’s investigation of the carcass revealed hemorrhaging, tissue loss and damage, and tooth punctures through the groin on both legs extending to the hindquarters. Staff also documented hemorrhaging on the rear side of the right front leg. The hindquarters, flank, intestines, and organs were partially consumed. The carcass was removed from the area and buried after the investigation.

The damage to the carcass was indicative of wolf depredation. In addition, location data from the collared wolf in the Grouse Flats pack showed at least one member of the pack in the vicinity during the approximate time the calf died. Based on the combination of tissue damage with associated hemorrhaging and wolf locations, WDFW staff classified this event as a confirmed wolf depredation.

The livestock producer who owns the affected livestock monitors the herd by range riding at least every other day, maintains regular human presence in the area, removes sick and injured livestock from the grazing area until they are healed, removes or secures livestock carcasses to avoid attracting wolves to the rest of the herd, and avoids known wolf high activity areas.

WDFW said the damage to the carcass was indicative of a wolf depredation.  In addition, data from the collared wolf in the Grouse Flats pack showed at least one member of that pack in the vicinity when the calf died.  WDFW said the Grouse Flats pack was responsible for the July 8^th depredation at the 4-O Ranch Wildlife area.

That makes five depredations attributed to the Grouse Flats pack in the past two years.

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