Photo: National Park Service]
BREAKING NEWS IN OREGON:
On March 2nd, the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) reported that a collared male wolf, of the Shamrock pack in northeast Oregon, was inadvertently killed and found dead on February 26th when it encountered an M-44 device, a spring-activated device containing cyanide powder. This device was in place as part of Wildlife Service’s operations to control coyotes and prevent coyote-livestock conflict on private lands. This incident is a true tragedy and we will continue to follow this incident for updates and will share any additional information as we have it available. Below is ODFW's report and statement:
Wolf dies in unintentional take in northeast Oregon
Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife
March 2, 2017
Correction: Wolf was found dead on Feb 26.
SALEM, Ore.—Wolf OR48, a Shamrock Pack adult male, died on Feb. 26 on private land in northeast Oregon after an unintentional take by the US Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services.
The wolf died after encountering an M-44 device, a spring-activated device containing cyanide powder. The device was in place as part of Wildlife Services operations to control coyotes and prevent coyote-livestock conflict on private land in northeast Oregon.
“The death of this wolf shows the risk involved when wolves are in areas where Wildlife Services conducts these types of operations,” said Doug Cottam, ODFW Wildlife Division administrator. “This is a situation we take seriously and we’ll be working with Wildlife Services with the goal of preventing it from happening again.”
ODFW and Wildlife Services are evaluating the incident and discussing how to prevent unintentional capture or take of wolves while addressing livestock damage problems.
“Wildlife Services’ specialists care about wildlife and work hard to prevent the unintentional take of animals when addressing human-wildlife conflicts,” said Dave Williams, state director for USDA Wildlife Services in Oregon. “We have begun an internal review of this incident to see if any changes to our procedures are necessary.”
Wolf OR48 was collared on Feb. 10 of this year in Wallowa County and was part of the Shamrock Wolf Pack. At the time of collaring, he weighed over 100 pounds and was estimated to be just under two years old. Wolf OR48 was not the breeding male of the pack.
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Other Pacific West News:
If you’re in Oregon, mark your calendars for April 21st:
As the review process of Oregon’s Wolf Conservation and Management Plan (Plan) is underway, we’ve learned the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) has indicated some kind of “controlled hunt” of wolves will be included in its proposals for the Plan. On April 21 st, the ODFW Commission will hold a meeting in Klamath Falls, Oregon. The public will have a chance to testify about any proposals ODFW puts forth. Especially if you reside in Oregon, add this important date to your calendar. You can also send your written thoughts via email to: odfw.commission@state.or.us. The ODFW will release its full proposals in early April.
OREGON NEWS:
February 28th:
WASHINGTON NEWS:
February 24th:
OTHER NEWS: Wolves in Wyoming
Court rules to lift federal protections for Wyoming wolves
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