Jackson County, Ore. – After a 3-day-old calf was found dead near Prospect, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife officials confirmed it was killed by a wolf.
According to ODFW, a ranch employee found the remains of the calf on February 25. Apparent wolf tracks were found around the carcass.
A wolf attack was suspected, and ODFW examined the carcass the same day. Based on evidence gathered, officials said the cause of death was wolf depredation.
ODFW said GPS data shows wolf OR25 was present at the kill site.
According to the Oregon Wolf Conservation and Management Plan, wolves don’t automatically prey on livestock, but if they are encountered, they are likely to depredate sporadically.
Current Oregon law allows lethal action to be taken if the wolf is found in the act of attacking livestock, or if the wolf is involved in chronic livestock depredation.
The chairman of the Jackson County Wolf Committee says there are precautionary measures the public can take to prevent future attacks.
According to Roberts, the committee will compensate those who have lost an animal if it can be confirmed that the animal was killed by a wolf.
The owner of the calf that was attacked near Prospect says she has moved the mother cow and her babies to a safer location and they have someone patrolling the property every two hours.
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