Oregon wolf update
by Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!
June 1, 2009
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has provided the following update on the wolf pack recently discovered in Oregon.
"The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is continuing to monitor the recently radio-collared male wolf near the Keating Valley. As expected, visual observations by aircraft confirmed the presence of a second, smaller wolf travelling with the radio-collared animal. Since collaring the young male on May 3, the wolves have been located on 26 days. Most locations have been in upper-elevation forested area. On five mornings both wolves were found in the Keating Valley and on all five occasions they were successfully hazed upslope using both aircraft and ground methods. Since May 18, all locations have been in higher elevation National Forest, and on May 29, the wolves were located in the Eagle Cap Wilderness. ODFW is awaiting results of genetic analysis of tissues collected during the capture.
"The wolves being monitored were involved in the April depredations of 24 sheep and a single calf in the Keating Valley. In addition to active hazing, other non-lethal methods have been employed including fladry (around sheep pen), RAG box, burying of cow carcasses, radio receivers to affected ranchers, and night penning of local sheep. No depredations have been confirmed since April 17.
"As of May 4, 2009, wolves in the eastern portion of Oregon (east of highways 395, 78 and 95) are "de-listed," or removed from protection under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). Wolves in this area remain protected by Oregon’s ESA, while wolves west of the boundary remain protected by both the federal and state ESA."
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