Oregon Beef Council funds study about interactions between cows and wolves

The latest anti wolf political rhetoric really pushes the envelope between fact and fiction; not to mention is an adulterated insult to our war veterans. This anti wolf rhetoric claims cows have PSTD cause by wolves. In a study from Oregon State University, Reinaldo Cooke, an associate professor and animal scientist, conducted the research, that appeared in the Journal of Animal Science. Read on:

“When wolves attack a herd of cattle, Cooke said in an interview Thursday, the surviving animals’ life experience is “completely altered” by the event. Animals become jumpier around humans and pets, the cows give birth to smaller calves, and the animals are more likely to get sick.” Source

Oregon Wild, a nonprofit environmental advocacy and conservation group, criticized the use of PTSD to describe nature. “PTSD is a very serious condition afflicting millions of Americans,” Oregon Wild said in a statement. “It is incredibly disrespectful for it to be used by an industry association to make a point that should be obvious to anyone who has ever seen a nature documentary: prey don’t like predators.”  Source

Common sense dictates that prey are scared of predators such as wolves or even dogs.

Two summers ago at our family cabin near Minong, our family dog, Bella, captivated a herd of cows. The cows went into a complete defensive stand, including the lead cow; who stood between the herd and Bella.  Our family cabin is situated in wolf range. 

Oregon removed wolves from the state’s endangered species list in 2015, but they remain under federal protection in western Oregon. The wolf’s primary activity is still concentrated east of U.S. 97, U.S. 20 and U.S. 395.  Source

Should Oregonians buy into this  latest anti wolf rhetoric claims, that wolves are causing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in cows?  We all know the answer to that question, and it can be found by using common sense.

“…rewilding is all about being nice, kind, compassionate, empathic, and harnessing our inborn goodness and optimism. We must all work together at this. It’s about time we focus on the good side of human and animal nature. … nature offers many lessons for kinder society. Blood shouldn’t sell.” ~Marc Bekoff