Wolf sightings hint predator is back

A young, black wolf appears to be roaming a roughly 120-square mile patch of Wallowa County in northeast Oregon, biologists said. It was videotaped in late July and repeated sightings through last weekend have added to the evidence.

A young, black wolf appears to be roaming a roughly 120-square mile patch of Wallowa County in northeast Oregon, biologists said.

It was videotaped in late July and repeated sightings through last weekend have added to the evidence.

"It sure appears at this point it's a wild wolf," said Russ Morgan, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's wolf coordinator based in La Grande. Its behavior and ability to survive on its own suggests it's a wild animal, he said.

The wolf proves the point of biologists who have long said it was only a matter of time before a booming wolf population in Idaho overflows into Oregon. Biologists still haven't confirmed sightings of what may be another wolf in the Wallowa Mountains.

Other wolves have entered Oregon before. The difference is that officials captured one of those and moved it back to Idaho, while the others were killed -- one on a highway and the other illegally shot -- before their presence became known.

This time, the wolf has been hovering in Wallowa County for more than a month, and there are no plans to remove it. Biologists say it could stay in the area on its own or suddenly take off for new terrain.

"It appears the animal is working some kind of a home range," Morgan said.
The return of the predator poses a new test for Oregon: Living with a predator exterminated decades ago to make the range safe for livestock.

An Oregon management plan for wolves sets a goal of four breeding pairs each in Eastern Oregon and Western Oregon, and calls for state biologists to monitor the animals. Wolves in Oregon are protected by federal and state Endangered Species Acts. It is illegal to shoot wolves in Oregon even if they attack livestock.

Wallowa County is on the front lines when it comes to wolves. It borders Idaho and is home to many ranches. Ranchers worry their livestock could be vulnerable to wolves and have strongly opposed the predators' return.
"We knew this was going to happen, I guess," said County Commissioner Ben Boswell. "What people in this community want is simply the means to protect their property."

State biologists are keeping nearby ranchers notified of the latest wolf reports, Morgan said.

If biologists can pin down areas the wolf frequents, they will try to capture it -- using a trap that does not harm the animal -- and fit it with a radio collar, he said. That would let biologists monitor the wolf while working with ranchers to avoid conflicts.

But it does not reassure Mack Birkmaier, a Joseph rancher.
"I guess that's supposed to make us feel better, to tell us there's a killer in the neighborhood?" he said. "What can we do if they're in with our cattle? We can't do anything. That's kind of a helluva deal, isn't it?"

The conservation group Defenders of Wildlife has pledged to pay ranchers compensation for confirmed or, at a reduced rate, probable kills of livestock by wolves. But some in Wallowa County said they are skeptical of that promise.
The wolf was spotted near cows by a landowner Sunday, but ran off when the landowner drove toward it. A bowhunter saw it again about three to four miles away almost exactly an hour later.

Michael Milstein: 503-294-7689; michaelmilstein@news.oregonian.com