On Sept 28 the department initiated an evaluation period to determine whether removing two wolves from the OPT pack last month has changed the pack’s behavior and reduced the potential for recurrent wolf depredations on livestock.
The department documented 3 additional depredations on livestock between Oct 5-11, bringing the total to 15 wolf depredations by the OPT pack.
On Oct. 5, department staff confirmed that a calf was injured by wolves in the OPT pack. The calf appeared to have been attacked on two separate occasions by wolves as some of the injures appeared to be approximately four days to one week old and other injuries appeared to be within 24 hours of the investigation. The injuries to the calf were multiple bite lacerations, bite puncture wounds and tissue damage to the underlying tissue adjacent to the injuries. The locations on the calf and the types of injuries inflicted were consistent with signs of a wolf attack.
On Oct. 7, department staff confirmed another calf as a probable wolf depredation. The calf had older and healed bite lacerations to the outer right hindquarter and right flank. There were older and healing bite puncture wounds to the outer left hindquarter. The bite laceration and bite puncture wounds are consistent with a wolf attack.
Then on Oct. 11, department staff confirmed an additional injured calf pulled from the same drainage as previous OPT depredations. The calf had injuries consistent with wolf depredations in the area. Tissue damage was associated with bite lacerations. Due to healing, the depredation occurred more than two weeks previous.
The Wolf Conservation and Management Plan and the department’s protocol indicate that post-removal evaluation period should consider any depredations that take place after one or more wolves are removed from a pack. WDFW determined that the Oct. 5 depredation by the OPT pack is new – not one that likely occurred during or before the removal period – allowing for the removal of additional wolves from the pack.
The Director has not made a decision regarding any new action since the depredations between Oct. 5-11, and is considering the details and complexities of the situation. The department remains in the evaluation period since the last wolf was removed Sept. 28.
The U.S. Forest Service allotment where the affected producer grazes his livestock is large and lies entirely within the territory of the OPT pack. The department is documenting the range-riding operation on the allotment to make sure it is as effective as it can be. The department will continue to work with the affected producer to implement any additional non-lethal deterrence measures.
If WDFW documents additional wolf depredations on livestock, the Director will consider that information in determining whether to initiate another lethal removal action.
The livestock producer involved has continued to employ non-lethal deterrence measures described in the Sept. 28 update. The Foxlights described in the Sept 28, 2018 update have been removed from a salting site because cattle are no longer in the immediate area. The producer continues to remove livestock from federal grazing allotment.
For more information, please see updates on the OPT pack on:
2018 updates
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Sept 7, 11, 12, 14, 18, 25, 28
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Oct 5