(Photo: Photo courtesy of U.S. Forest Service)
Oregon’s famous wolf, OR-7, could be in hot water.
The wolf that captured international headlines for roaming into territory untouched by wolves for almost a century is now a suspect in multiple attacks on livestock in Southern Oregon.
Federal and state officials say the Rogue Pack, which OR-7 started with a mate in 2014, were likely involved in three depredations in Klamath County earlier this month.
The attacks killed two calves and injured another on Oct. 4 at a ranch in Wood River Valley, according to reports filed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
“It happened on the edge of the Rogue Pack’s territory, and it very well could have been them, but we’re not 100 percent sure yet,” said John Stephenson, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wolf Coordinator. “There has been some other wolf activity in that area. We’re working hard to deal with this situation and stop it from continuing.”
Reports from ODFW said evidence is “adequate to confirm the death(s) as wolf depredation” and that the “Rogue Pack is known to frequent this general area at this time of year.”
Wolves in Western Oregon, including the Rogue Pack, remain protected under the federal Endangered Species Act, meaning they won’t be killed as a result. Stephenson said he’s been setting up non-lethal deterrence at the ranch to prevent future attacks.
“We’re taking it very seriously, and hoping to nip this in the bud,” he said.
Exposing the Big Game 
If anyone harms this wolf it will cause a huge outcry –
Wolves don’t ordinarily kill domestic livestock unless their natural prey is not available. Are their too many cattle ranging in the area pushing the deer, etc out ? Also, how much pressure does hunting season have on the movement of deer, elk, etc. What is the big picture here?
Wolves are still protected in OR, and OR has a good conservation program emphasizing non lethal management to discourage conflicts. The rancher ranches on land next to wolf country, so non lethal steps should certainly be in place. We can hope for the best outcome. Encroachment in some form should always be considered.
Yes. Thank goodness! I was reading where OR doesn’t have a collar any longer, so I wonder if he was refitted or how they know it is him? I knew it couldn’t last, and that some ranching outfit would start complaining to be rid of him. OR was named Journey by schoolchildren. Go to California, OR!
http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2016/04/or-7_looks_healthy_in_first_si.html
I do not believe it. Some human is behind this to force to force authorities to finish off the wolves
Move the damn welfare ranchers herd,then.