Gray wolf collared and released in Oregon is a first

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

On the same day that gray wolves were removed from protection under the Federal Endangered Species act elsewhere in the country, a joint effort by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and U.S. Fish & Wildlife specialists led to the first-ever radio collaring of a wolf in Oregon.

A gray wolf known to have been killing livestock in eastern Oregon was captured, collared and released.

The 2-year-old male was trapped a few miles from where a pair of wolves attacked a calf last month. Tissue samples were taken from the wolf for genetic analysis.

‘The wolf was captured in the area where livestock was killed, and the track size was the same as on-site [where the calf was killed], so we know it is the same animal,’ said Michelle Dennehy, ODFW wildlife communications coordinator.

The radio collar will now allow the department to monitor the wolves’ movements and alert ranchers if necessary.

The collars also work with radio-activated guard boxes on ranches, which will emit loud noises when a collared wolf approaches.

‘With the radio collar we should be able to limit depredation,’ added Dennehy. ‘The department has no decision on what will be done if the wolf attacks on livestock continue. If chronic, it could lead to lethal removal, but currently we are taking a wait-and-see approach.’

-- Kelly Burgess