ODFW Crews Called To Depredations In Baker, Umatilla counties

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife crews remain busy with wolf depredation in the eastern portion of the state. On Tuesday morning, investigators were called to a dead 400 pound calf found on public pastureland in Baker County’s Amalgamated Mine area. ODFW says that calf most likely died early Tuesday morning.

The carcass was skinned. Over 30 pre-mortem parallel tooth scrapes up to 3/16” wide and 2 ½” long were found on the outside and back of the left hind leg above the hock. Similarly sized pre-mortem tooth scrapes were also found on the right hind leg above the hock and both elbows. ODFW said the location, size, number, and direction of tooth scrapes are consistent with wolf attack injuries on calves.

That depredation has been attributed to the Keating pack.

Also on Tuesday morning, ODFW crews were called to a depredation in the Ukiah Valley area of Umatilla County. That death involved a 500 pound calf found in private pastureland. Investigators believe this calf was killed late Monday or early Tuesday.

The calf was shaved and skinned on both hindquarters above the hock, both front legs above the elbow, and along parts of the spine. Numerous pre-mortem tooth scrapes, punctures, and tears were found on the backside of both hindquarters above the hock, the groin, both front legs above the elbow, and smaller wounds on both sides of the spine. Tooth scrapes were up to 1/4” wide and up to 4” long with pre-mortem hemorrhage and tissue trauma underneath up to 1 ½” deep. The calf had pre-mortem bite wounds indicating it was attacked by a predator. The size, number, location, and severity of wounds were consistent with wolf attacks on calves.

This depredation happened in the same pasture as the weekend depredations of seven calves. It is currently unknown what wolves are responsible for this depredation. ODFW is monitoring the Fivemile Pack and new wolves to determine which are responsible.

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