FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Conservationists Decry Continued Efforts to Kill Endangered Wolves

Oregon wildlife managers violate state plan in extending wolf kill order

Kill order for two of Oregon's gray wolves extended, despite lack of recent depredations.

For the second time this month, ODFW has announced that an order to kill 2 of Oregon’s 14 confirmed wolves will be extended. Today’s extension of the lethal control authorization allows the federal animal control agency, USDA Wildlife Services to hunt, track, and kill 2 wolves across a 70 square-mile area. Conservationists believe ODFW is violating the Oregon Wolf Management Plan by extending the kill order despite the fact that no new livestock depredations have occurred since June 4.

“This looks more like retribution than wildlife conservation,” observed Steve Pedery, Conservation Director with the group Oregon Wild. “Vocal special interests in Northeast Oregon want to see dead wolves, and Governor Kulongoski and ODFW appear to be willing to oblige even if it means violating Oregon’s Wolf Management Plan.”

The kill order and nine “caught in the act” kill permits issued to private landowners in May stem from recent livestock depredations by wolves in Wallowa County. In the last month, 6 cow deaths were confirmed as wolf depredations. For comparison, in 2005 (the year the wolf plan was created) domestic dogs killed 700 sheep and cows in Oregon.

The Oregon Wolf Management Plan explicitly prioritizes non-lethal means of avoiding livestock depredations.

While wolves are listed as endangered, non-lethal techniques such as radio-activated guard devices, non-injurious harassment, fladry, husbandry, and others will be the first choice of managers. (Page 38, Oregon Wolf Management Plan)

ODFW documentation of non-lethal techniques shows that non-lethal efforts have been applied inconsistently across the affected area of northeast Oregon. Furthermore, efforts at non-lethal injurious harassment have not been attempted.

The wolf plan also states that: “lethal take is allowed only if ‘No unreasonable conditions exist to cause the wolf-livestock conflict.’” Unfortunately, despite having years to prepare for the return of wolves to the region, some northeast Oregon land managers have failed to remove or cover livestock carcass piles, dump pits, and other conditions that attract wolves and other predators. These carcass piles constitute “unreasonable conditions” and killing of wolves in the area should be precluded until they are addressed.

“Oregon Wild and other conservation groups supported the Oregon Wolf Plan as a compromise,” continued Pedery. “With ODFW now apparently ignoring key provisions of the plan, and bowing to anti-wolf political pressure, it is clear that these animals once again need federal Endangered Species Act protection.”

In notifying stakeholders of the decision to extend the kill order, ODFW confirmed that the “pack activity has shifted upslope to more forested area.” With wolves moving further away from the depredation sites, conservationists believe the continuation of the kill order is all the more inappropriate. Also disheartening is the revelation that ODFW continues an unsuccessful search for the missing alpha pair of the Imnaha pack. ODFW has been unable to track the alpha female’s collar since May 31st.

“Wolf recovery is obviously controversial, and the return of these animals after being hunted to extinction 60 years ago has inflamed passions in northeast Oregon,” concluded Pedery. “Now, more than ever, we need a strong conservation-based management plan, and a fish and wildlife agency willing to stand up to political pressure.”

Background
Wolves once roamed throughout Oregon. However, a government-sponsored program of eradication ended when the state’s last wolf was shot in 1946. Through reintroduction and natural recolonization, wolves have begun to retake their place in the landscape of the American West.

In 1999, the first wolf crossed the Snake River and returned to Oregon. It was quickly returned to Idaho and the next few wolves to make the trip were shot by poachers and hit by cars. However, in 2008, the first confirmed wolf pups were born in Oregon and the native predator had taken its first steps toward recovery.

Anticipating the eventual return of wolves to Oregon, the state worked with stakeholders including conservationists, hunters, ranchers, and the public to draft a wolf plan in 2005. The plan sets low recovery numbers and leaves management decisions in the hands of biologists and wildlife managers. In the spring of 2009, Oregon experienced its first depredation event in the Keating Valley. Later that year, after efforts to deter them failed, the first two wolves to kill livestock in over half a century in Oregon were in turn killed by wildlife managers under the wolf management plan. The livestock producer was fully compensated for his losses.

Oregon is currently home to a confirmed population of 14 wolves in 2 packs – both in northeast Oregon. The Imnaha pack of 10 is led by wolf B-300, named Sophie by Oregon Wild activists after entering Oregon. Another pack of 4 wolves was caught on film for the first time earlier this spring.

The Oregon wolf plan is currently undergoing a mandated 5-year review process. With a current population of less than 14 confirmed wolves, conservationists are working to fully fund the wolf plan and empower biologists to make decisions regarding the state-endangered species. The Oregon Cattlemens' Association, and Farm Bureau is actively working to weaken, re-write, or throw away the plan all together and last year attempted to pass legislation allowing private citizens to kill wolves if they determined them to be threatening.

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