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Oregon wildlife investigators have determined that a wolf has killed four penned sheep on private land in northern Umatilla County.
One additional lamb is missing and believed to have been killed by the wolf.
The attack occurred late May 1 or early the following morning in an area believed to be inhabited by two wolves that aren't part of Oregon's four known wolf packs.
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife investigators believe a single wolf is responsible for the attack.
The killing marks the first time ODFW has confirmed that a wolf killed livestock in Umatilla County.
The landowner is eligible to seek compensation for losses from the state's wolf compensation fund, according to the department.
Wildlife officials said they are working to capture and radio-collar the wolf and have helped the landowner install an electrified fladry around his sheep. Fladry is a type of fencing that can deter wolves.
The five dead sheep bring to 57 the total number of livestock killed by wolves in Oregon since 2009. It is the first confirmed wolf kill of livestock in Oregon since March 8.
Umatilla County was awarded $15,495 earlier this year in wolf compensation grants for nonlethal wolf-depredation prevention efforts. Only Wallowa County, which received $38,700, received more.
Wallowa County has been the site of numerous wolf depredations since 2009.
