E. Oregon ranchers to test non-lethal ways to halt wolf attacks

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Two ranchers in Eastern Oregon are working with state wildlife officials to test a new non-lethal strategy for preventing wolf attacks on livestock.

The Capital Press reported Thursday that Rodger Huffman, president of the Union County Cattlemen’s Association, and Cynthia Warnock, president of the Wallowa County Stockgrowers Association, will develop plans that emphasize non-lethal methods such as range rider, alarm boxes and electrified fencing to keep wolves away.

If wolves continue to attack, then ranchers could ask the state to kill them.

The ranchers agreed to test the idea, but it’s still unclear who would pay for the non-lethal tools.

The proposal was outlined by stakeholders who are trying to find common ground on a five-year update of the state’s wolf conservation plan, which is now three years overdue.

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Information from: Capital Press, http://www.capitalpress.com/washington