Cow killed by gray wolf north of Cle Elum, wildlife officials say



CLE ELUM, Wash. (AP) — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Wednesday that a young cow whose carcass was found last week in central Washington was killed by a gray wolf.

The yearling was discovered on state grazing lands north of Cle Elum in Kittitas County. A Washington State University graduate student studying gray wolves found the carcass last Thursday.

Agency spokeswoman Ann Froschauer says it's the first confirmed livestock attack within the range of the Teanaway wolf pack. A sheep dog was injured in 2011.

Experts with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife reviewed evidence and determined that a wolf killed the animal. Bite marks on the hide and bone were consistent with a wolf kill. Wolf scat, hair and tracks were also found in the area.

The federal agency says the rancher had a damage prevention agreement with the state to proactively limit damage by wildlife.