Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife recently authorized lethal removal of one wolf from the Logan Valley Pack following a series of livestock depredations.
Four depredations resulting in four injured cattle and two dead calves have been attributed to the pack in the last four months.
This conflict occurred even after the ranchers increased human presence, removed attractants, changed their grazing routes, and used nonlethal deterrents.
So, this may be one of the cases where lethal removal is the only option left.
But it’s the way that lethal removal was carried out that makes less sense. This is direct from the ODFW website:
“The Logan Valley Pack included two breeding adults and this year’s juveniles. The authorization was for any member of the pack. However, the department prioritized removal of the adult male and protection of the breeding female. Removing the breeding male proved not possible but on August 24, a 63 lb wolf (young of year born earlier this spring) was removed by ODFW.”
They essentially said try to get the dad, don’t get the mom. Then they couldn’t find the dad, so they got one of the pups.
The issue of livestock depredation is complicated, so removal of a dangerous wolf may be justified, but why not take the time to identify the specific wolf at fault, rather than taking out one random wolf from the pack they believed was responsible.
Unsurprisingly, livestock depredation has continued since this incident.
The truth is that lethal removal does not work. It just weakens the pack, making them more likely to resort to easy meals like cattle and sheep.
This is especially true when it is not done in a way that removes the problem wolf and discourages future conflict.