As ‘a last resort,’ federal officials kill wolf OR158 that killed 8-12 livestock
LAKEVIEW, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Federal officials on Wednesday lethally removed an endangered gray wolf, OR158, following several unsuccessful attempts at non-lethal deterrence of the animal that killed eight to a dozen livestock in recent weeks.
The removal came amid "increasing concerns about public safety and was taken as a last resort," the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife reported.
"The removal of an endangered gray wolf aligns with federal regulations under the authority of 50 CFR17.21(c)(3)(iv), which provides for removing animals listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act that constitute a demonstrable but non-immediate threat to human safety," ODFW said in an update.
"This lethal removal followed eight confirmed depredations and four probable depredations attributed to the wolf, extensive unsuccessful attempts at non-lethal deterrence (including range riders, spotlighting, pasture monitoring, fox lights, air cannons, non-lethal projectiles, carcass removal and drones with thermal optics), and increasing concerns about public safety," the agency stated.
An ODFW representative told KTVZ News five of the confirmed livestock depredations were in Lake County and occurred over a two-week period, Jan. 30 to Feb. 14.
"You can read the deterrence plan for OR158 to learn more about how ODFW and the other agencies had been working with producers to utilize non-lethal methods," ODFW added (it's also included below this article).
"The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and USDA Wildlife Services will continue working with all parties to ensure producers have the best tools in hand, as well as agency support and resources, to prevent and respond to wolf conflict before it escalates," ODFW said.
"Catching a wolf in the act of approaching livestock and applying deterrents at that time remains the most effective," it added.
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Earlier story:
Last December, Oregon wolf OR158 traveled from Deschutes County to Northern California. Over the past few weeks, the wolf has made it back to Oregon, hunting on its way. Unfortunately for farmers and ranchers, that means dead cattle.
As of now, there are three confirmed calf kills in Lake County in the last two weeks, KOBI reports. Lake County commissioners have declared a public safety and livestock emergency.
Many producers have been doing what they can to get rid of the wolf safely. Residents have tried to use drones and other non-lethal methods, which have not yet worked.
There were some 76,000 cattle in Lake County at last census, with one rancher alone having 3,000 head. Lake County Commissioner Billy Shullanberger said, "There is all kinds of opportunity for this wolf to cause trouble."
Wolf OR158 travels alone and is collared. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife are tracking him and the county is asking for the governor's help to remove the wolf - which can be tricky, given the number of state and federal laws designed to protect the wolves.
Here's ODFW's deterrence plan:
