FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Biologists Investigate Possible Wolf Encounter

State Management Plan Ensures Fair Process

State wildlife officials investigate the possibility of Oregon's first documented wolf depredation since the species returned 10 years ago.

Four years after the adoption of the Oregon Wolf Management plan, biologists are determining if wolves are responsible for the 19 sheep lost at the Keating Valley Ranch near Baker City, Oregon. An investigation into the depredations is underway and if wolves are deemed responsible, it will be the first documented incident of a livestock depredation since their return to Oregon in 1999.

Defenders of Wildlife is contributing fladry and other deterrents used successfully in Idaho to prevent wolf predation on sheep. Defenders has also offered to compensate the sheep producer for the value of the loss, if wolves are determined to be responsible.

Even with 800 wolves currently residing in the neighboring state of Idaho, livestock depredations caused by wolves remain a small percentage of overall losses, which are most commonly due to disease, predation by domestic dogs and native carnivores such as bears and coyotes. Total wolf related livestock losses are less than 1% of livestock losses annually. When these losses do occur, livestock producers can receive reimbursement through Defenders of Wildlife in areas where wolves are managed under federal authority.

“Wolves and livestock co-exist just like other wildlife co-exists with livestock but unfortunately there will be occasional losses like this,” said Suzanne Stone, Northern Rockies field representative for Defenders of Wildlife.  “Defenders has worked with hundreds of ranchers in our region to avoid conflicts with wolves, and compensate for losses when appropriate. Working together, the ranchers, biologists and conservationists can develop methods to keep losses to a minimum, which is a win-win for both wolves and the livestock producers,” said Stone.

“If in fact these livestock were taken by wolves, it highlights the need to try and minimize conflict between ranchers and wildlife,” said Sean Stevens, Communications Associate for Oregon Wild. “The most effective way to do that is to protect our remaining roadless backcountry areas, so that wolves and other wildlife have good habitat and are not forced into conflict with humans.”

“Wolves fill an important niche that will help Oregon maintain its biodiversity and we’re thrilled that they’re back,” said Dr. Anne Carlson of the Western Wolf Coalition.  “At the same time, we need to use the management practices established by the Oregon plan to reduce these types of conflicts as much as possible”

“The Oregon Wolf Management Plan was developed by a wide range of stakeholders including ranchers, hunters, wildlife conservationists and others,” said Greg Dyson, Executive Director of Hell’s Canyon Preservation Council. “Wolves are an important keystone species that has been long absent from our state. We need to maintain our spirit of cooperation to ensure that they are managed responsibly."

Contacts:
Anne Carlson, Western Wolf Coalition: (406) 586-3970
Greg Dyson, Hell’s Canyon Preservation Council: (541) 963-3950
Sean Stevens, Oregon Wild (503) 283-6343 ext 211
Suzanne Stone, Defenders of Wildlife: (208) 424-9385 office, (208) 861-4655

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