Wolves kill two cows in one week in NE Oregon

By Associated Press Published: Dec 16, 2011 at 5:00 PM PDT

JOSEPH, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon Fish and Wildlife spokeswoman says wolves from northeast Oregon's Imnaha pack have killed a cow for the second time this week.

Michelle Dennehy tells The Oregonian that her department confirmed Tuesday that a yearling cow was found dead on private land.

She says the latest adult cow was found on the same ranch and probably died Monday night or Tuesday morning.

The latest killing was the sixth confirmed livestock loss to wolves since Oct. 5.

Wolves from the pack generally preyed on small calves last year and mainly during the spring.

Dennehy says the pack appears to be shifting to larger livestock and killing later into the winter.

A "kill order" has been issued for the Imnaha pack's alpha male and a younger wolf, but it was blocked by a lawsuit.

Dennehy says 33 ranchers have state permits that would let them kill wolves seen biting or killing livestock, but ranchers have to see the attack — and wolves typically hunt at night.

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Information from: The Oregonian, http://www.oregonlive.com