Field Reports: Oregon wolf dies from parvovirus

CRITTERS – The first case of parvovirus in Oregon wolves has been documented by the Oregon State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab.

The wolf known as OR19, found dead by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists on May 19, died of complications of canine parvovirus, according to the lab’s preliminary report.

The disease is contagious in canids and usually fatal. Domestic dogs usually are protected by vaccinations, but parvo has been found in wolf populations throughout the West, causing short-term wolf declines, state officials said.

Other regional wolf updates:

• A male Smackout Pack wolf collared in far northeastern Washington has moved 300 miles west into Western Washington.

• Two wolves, apparently from the Huckleberry Pack, were radio-collared over Memorial Day weekend on the Colville Indian Reservation in Northeast Washington. In mid-May, state experts collared three wolves in the Teanaway Pack of Kittitas County.

Two trumpeter pairs nesting at Turnbull

BIRDS – Turnbull Wildlife Refuge south of Cheney is in a family way this month with critters birthing and hatching young all over the place.

The refuge staff and helpers documented 108 bird species on the refuge in the past two weeks.

Fans of the late trumpeter swan named Solo will revel in news that two trumpeter pairs are nesting at the refuge this year, up from one pair last year and no pairs for 22 years before 2009.

The nesting pairs are on Middle Pine and Cheever ponds. If all goes well and their cygnets hatch this month, the attentive parents will parade their families for all to see from the visitor paths all summer and into the fall.

Check out the refuge headquarters store, operated by the refuge friends group, for displays and wildlife books, including a new one about the Turnbull trumpeters.

Orcas, salmon, elk on panel’s agenda

WILDLIFE – An update on the status of the Colockum elk herd is among a wide range of topics on the agenda when the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission meets Friday and Saturday in Olympia.

Resident killer whales and their relationship with salmon fisheries also will be discussed.

State Parks offer free vehicle entry

PARKS – Washington State Parks are waiving the Discover Pass requirement for vehicles entering parks Saturday and Sunday to celebrate National Get Outdoors Day.

Colville project needs habitat helpers

FORESTS – Volunteers are needed to plant trees and help restore fish and wildlife habitat in a Colville National Forest project next weekend.

The stretch of the Middle Branch of the LeClerc Creek Road in Pend Oreille County, where volunteers will be working, has been rerouted away from the creek to protect fish and wildlife habitat and water quality.

Sign up with Conservation Northwest coordinator Kyle Merritt, (208) 241-1764, email kyle_merritt@hotmail.com.