Wolf collar fails on Imnaha's alpha male

alpha male being collared

The GPS collar on the Imnaha alpha male has stopped transmitting data, curtailing a text-message warning system that gave Wallowa County ranchers the heads-up on preying wolves. The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Department reported last receiving data from the GPS collar Jan. 25. The collar allowed state wolf biologists to periodically download via satellite fairly precise location data, which they used to alert ranchers to wolves in proximity. "That was important to us, when we had a wolf that we knew was habitually killing cattle, to be able to put him at a site," said Todd Nash, president of the Wallowa County Stockgrowers Association. "He had somewhat of a pattern, and you knew if he was coming you could better armor yourself." The Imnaha pack killed a yearling heifer Jan. 7 near Kinney Lake and probably killed a mule on Deadhorse Ridge a week later, according to the fish and wildlife department. The pack possibly bit and injured a mature bull discovered Jan. 8, according to a department report. State biologists investigated injuries to a sick cow a rancher euthanized Jan. 9, but ruled that case unknown or possible wolf attack, according to a report. Since Jan. 7, a range rider has patrolled the Wallowa Valley using VHF signals from collars on OR-4 and its mate, OR-2, to track the animals, the fish and wildlife department reported. The simple radio transmitter sends a real-time, continuous signal, but is less precise and does not store data to download. The 5-member pack killed as many as 20 livestock animals between spring 2010 and December 2011, according to department reports. The department targeted the alpha male, designated OR-4, and another year-old wolf for elimination until a court order stopped cold a hunt for the animals in October 2011. The stay order, issued by the Oregon Court of Appeals, remains in force while three conservation groups in court challenge state authority to kill wolves under the Oregon Wolf Conservation and Management Plan...more