Dead cattle in Jonah Field

by Cat Urbigkit

Between six and 12 head of dead cattle have been discovered in the last few weeks in the Jonah Field area, according to Pinedale Bureau of Land Management Field Manager Prill Mecham.

Mecham said some of the animals have been hit on the road, while others died and "nobody really knows why."

While the rumor has it that the animals drank toxic water from flare pits, as occurred in the area about 10 years ago, "I don't really think that's the case," Mecham said.

"We're watching it," Mecham said, adding that if anyone has any information about the cattle deaths, "We'd sure like to know."

Mecham said it's her understanding that the natural gas operators have been paying the livestock permittee for the losses, even though no necropsy has been conducted on any of the carcasses.

Mecham said with that many cattle dead, the BLM will pursue the matter.

"We're working on it ... it just came to our attention," Mecham said, adding that she learned the particulars just last Friday.

Although cattle carcasses were found, no wildlife carcasses have been discovered.