The state Department of Fish and Wildlife is permitting an Eastern Oregon rancher to kill one wolf from a pack that’s been injuring his cattle.
A Wallowa County rancher found three injured calves in a pasture on private land over a span of a few days last week. All three were confirmed wolf attacks.
Wildlife officials know of at least three wolves are in the area. The rancher has a permit to kill one wolf on that privately owned pasture or the adjacent stretch of public land where he is permitted to graze cattle. The kill permit expires July 10.
Oregon makes ranchers try non-lethal methods before killing wolves. Biologists say the rancher began checking his cattle more frequently in response to the attacks. That included staying with cattle at night and penning them in a smaller area to try and protect them from wolves.
Fish and Wildlife staff also have authority to kill one wolf.
Spokeswoman Michelle Dennehy said the agency has no immediate plans to do so.
The agency killed three wolves earlier this year in nearby Baker County.