Wolves kill cow in Foothills near Eagle
Federal wildlife officials have done two flyovers but can’t locate the predators.
BY KATY MOELLER, Idaho Statesman, 01/28/11 [here]
The full-grown cow was attacked about 5 miles north of Eagle and 1 mile west of Willow Creek Road.
A federal investigation quickly confirmed it had been taken down by wolves.
“Right now we believe it was two animals,” said Todd Grimm, acting state director of the Idaho Wildlife Services program for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “One had the front end and one had the back.”
That’s exactly what Spring Valley Ranch manager Jerry Thompson figured when he found the carcass in the Big Gulch area Tuesday morning — because of the strength needed to pull down the 6- or 7-year-old cow.
“I think they got spooked away before they ate much,” Thompson said Thursday.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife has overall responsibility for wolf management in the state of Idaho, and USDA Wildlife Services handles the investigation and removal of problem wolves.
Grimm said the wolves may not be part of a pack.
“Not all wolves belong to packs, and they may change packs,” he said. “These may be dispersing wolves, juveniles going out on their own to form a new pack.”
Investigators flew over the area on Tuesday and Wednesday to see if they could find the wolves. If found, they will be killed.
“Once a wolf is involved in killing livestock, it’s a problem wolf,” Grimm said. There is no place to relocate the animals in Idaho, he said, because all of the suitable habitat is at capacity.
Thompson said he’s been managing Spring Valley Ranch for 40 years, and he’s never seen a cow taken by wolves. He’s currently caretaker for about 400 head of cattle.
“It’s cause for alarm,” he said. “We knew this was going to happen. … [more]
by Jim
by WilderWest
It may be easy for some to downplay this, but the evidence does not support the theory that wolves were involved in this cow’s death. Let’s quit treating this issue like a witch hunt and start supporting sound wolf management - including using the facts despite which side they favor.
Wolf Expert: Eagle Cow Not Killed by Wolves
http://www.kivitv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13960556
Reply: oh yes, the facts. As promulgated by the Defenders of Wildlife, that fact-filled, trustworthy bastion of science. Sorry Wild Man, but liars cannot be trusted, even if they stumble upon an acorn of truth once in awhile. DOW veracity has been so lacking for so long that we cannot give them the benefit of the doubt. The carcass of their honesty has been picked apart.
by Jim
It has become very evident that certain special interest groups spend most of their time covering up facts about wolves. As for this incident, I have yet to hear any public announcement from reliable sources confirming that this was not wolves, or that wolves were not at the site. If it turns out that wolves were not responsible in this instance, it does not erase the hundreds of confirmed wolf kills on livestock in recent times. Nor does it erase the fact that our deer, elk, moose and other wildlife are being destroyed by these wolves. Nor does it erase the fact that USFWS promises were broken on the agreed upon numbers of wolves to be allowed in this State and others. Nor does it erase the fact that incidents like this will grow in number until wolf numbers are managed properly. These are truly issues of serious consequence.
by YPmule
I read the FWS report from the examination of the cow the day it was killed (the body was still warm.) The description of the wounds and subcutaneous hemorrhaging is consistent with wolf kills.
Examination of the carcass a week later after feeding by scavengers by an expert who voices an opposing opinion makes for headlines and controversy.
It also exposes an underlying agenda - and an opportunity to profit from emotionally charged urban dwellers.
It appears that Defenders of Wildlife has jumped all over this case. They claim the cow died as a result of birthing problems. Yet another attempt to cover up the reality of wolves.
Regardless if the Non-native Canadian Gray Wolves killed this cow or not, they (the wolves) are 5 miles from Eagle and are very capable of killing any living being they come across. One other thing worthy of noting, it is not uncommon for these wolves to travel 30 miles in one night.