Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Meeker cattle deaths remain unsolved mystery to Colorado wildlife and livestock experts
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Miles Blumhardt
Fort Collins Coloradoan
Nearly two months after the death of dozens of calves south of Meeker — originally believed to be caused by wolves — wildlife officials, veterinarians and the rancher who suffered the losses all remain perplexed as to how the animals died.
The role wolves may have played has diminished since the original news release by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife on Oct. 7, but the predator has not been completely ruled out. Meanwhile, disease has gained ground as a possible cause.
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https://www.coloradoan.com/story/ne...ry-to-wildlife-livestock-experts/69686419007/
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Meeker investigation update
CPW is still investigating the deaths of livestock near Meeker.
CPW Northwest Region Manager Travis Black provided an update to the CPW Commission at its Nov. 18 meeting on a report of dead cattle that came to CPW from a producer in Meeker in early October. You can view Black’s update on CPW’s YouTube channel.
Initial investigations revealed three to five of the initial report of 18 dead calves had injuries consistent with wolf depredation. The deaths are believed to have occurred over an approximately two-week timespan and over a geographic area spanning a few miles. Staff efforts to locate wolves in the area have included flyovers, camera traps, howling surveys and searching for scat and tracks. Those efforts have not turned up any evidence of wolves in the area. CPW has received results from hair and scat samples that were collected during the investigation. None of the samples collected have been determined to be from wolves.
Black said a veterinarian working with the rancher has suggested the deaths could be from clostridial myositis, also known as “blackleg.” Livestock-protection dogs could also have caused some of the depredations.
At the CPW Commission meeting, Wildlife Programs Manager at Colorado Department of Agriculture Wayne East said he would look into seeing if Colorado’s State Veterinarian Dr. Maggie Baldwin could assist with determining the cause of the cattle deaths in Meeker.
Visit CPW’s Stay Informed page and sign up for the Wolf Reintroduction eNews to stay up to date with CPW’s Wolf Restoration efforts.
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https://cpw.state.co.us/Lists/News Releases/DispForm.aspx?ID=3694
'
Miles Blumhardt
Fort Collins Coloradoan
Nearly two months after the death of dozens of calves south of Meeker — originally believed to be caused by wolves — wildlife officials, veterinarians and the rancher who suffered the losses all remain perplexed as to how the animals died.
The role wolves may have played has diminished since the original news release by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife on Oct. 7, but the predator has not been completely ruled out. Meanwhile, disease has gained ground as a possible cause.
...
https://www.coloradoan.com/story/ne...ry-to-wildlife-livestock-experts/69686419007/
-----------------------------------------------------
...
Meeker investigation update
CPW is still investigating the deaths of livestock near Meeker.
CPW Northwest Region Manager Travis Black provided an update to the CPW Commission at its Nov. 18 meeting on a report of dead cattle that came to CPW from a producer in Meeker in early October. You can view Black’s update on CPW’s YouTube channel.
Initial investigations revealed three to five of the initial report of 18 dead calves had injuries consistent with wolf depredation. The deaths are believed to have occurred over an approximately two-week timespan and over a geographic area spanning a few miles. Staff efforts to locate wolves in the area have included flyovers, camera traps, howling surveys and searching for scat and tracks. Those efforts have not turned up any evidence of wolves in the area. CPW has received results from hair and scat samples that were collected during the investigation. None of the samples collected have been determined to be from wolves.
Black said a veterinarian working with the rancher has suggested the deaths could be from clostridial myositis, also known as “blackleg.” Livestock-protection dogs could also have caused some of the depredations.
At the CPW Commission meeting, Wildlife Programs Manager at Colorado Department of Agriculture Wayne East said he would look into seeing if Colorado’s State Veterinarian Dr. Maggie Baldwin could assist with determining the cause of the cattle deaths in Meeker.
Visit CPW’s Stay Informed page and sign up for the Wolf Reintroduction eNews to stay up to date with CPW’s Wolf Restoration efforts.
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https://cpw.state.co.us/Lists/News Releases/DispForm.aspx?ID=3694