Wolves kill 10th calf in Oregon

Wolves have killed a 10th calf in the northeastern corner of Oregon, and ranchers here are asking legislators to give them the ability to protect their livestock from the predators. USDA Wildlife Services and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife officials confirmed the kill last week. Wildlife Services has taken over from ODFW as lead agency in confirming kills after the wolf was again put on the federal list of threatened and endangered species, according to Fish and Wildlife Services state supervisor Paul Henson. In the meantime, ranchers are working with area legislators to urge the adoption of new wolf-control laws. If passed, they would allow residents to protect private property such as cattle, sheep and pets by killing wolves.
Ranchers also request that the USDA Wildlife Services continue to work as the lead agency dealing with livestock depredation and for ODFW to have the authorization to use whatever means necessary to remove problem wolves...more