BAKER CITY — Wolves from the Lookout Mountain killed another cow and injured one steer in eastern Baker County during the past week, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife concluded after biologists investigated the two cases.

Those are the third and fourth attacks on cattle attributed to the Lookout Mountain pack since July 13. All were in the same general area northeast of Durkee.

In response, Baker County commissioners asked fish and wildlife to approve a lethal take permit and assist with killing some of the wolves from the Lookout Mountain pack, said Brian Ratliff, district wildlife biologist at ODFW’s Baker City office.

As of July 21, state officials had not approved the permit.

The most recent investigation was Monday, July 26, in the Manning Creek area northeast of Durkee.

A rancher on July 25 found an injured 850-pound, 1-1/2-year-old steer on private land, according to an ODFW report.

A department biologist examined the injured steer and concluded, based on more than 40 bite scrapes above the left hock, along with deep tissue trauma and missing tissue, wolves were responsible and estimated the attack was 10 to 12 days earlier.

The earlier investigation happened July 23 in the Nodine Creek area, when a rancher found a dead 850-pound, 1-1/2-year-old heifer on private land.

An ODFW biologist examined the carcass and found a blood trail leading from a struggle scene to the carcass, which was intact and complete except for scavenging on the upper hindquarters, groin, right flank and some organs, according to a report.

The biologist estimated the heifer died late on July 22 or early on July 23.

Earlier this month, fish and wildlife biologists concluded that Lookout Mountain wolves killed a 5-month-old calf on a public land grazing allotment around July 13, and injured a 1-1/2-year-old steer several days later on a private pasture.