Predatory animal caught on camera

MILLERTON — In August, The Millerton News reported on animals being attacked at local farms. Some of the farmers suspected a mountain lion, though the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) discounted that possibility. Now, months later, a possible predator has been captured on camera by Dashing Star Farm owner Lynn Mordas. Mordas said she suspected it was a large coyote or coyote/wolf hybrid. There’s been no confirmation of either.

For 25 years, Mordas has been raising sheep at 157 Indian Lake Road in Millerton, and not once has she lost an animal to a predator. Over the past few months, however, six sheep were attacked and killed. There was both grief over losing the sheep with unique crossbreeding and a devastating financial loss for Mordas.

Following three separate attacks in early August that led to the deaths of three sheep, Mordas reached out to the DEC and the U.S. Wildlife Division. She was advised by Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) Robert Hodor to keep alert and exercise caution with her remaining livestock, and she later received a visit from ECO Zachary Crane who installed trail cameras throughout her pastures.

While keeping in contact with the DEC and checking the cameras regularly, Mordas has moved her sheep from the pastures to the barnyard area. In spite of her best efforts, another sheep was attacked in the first week of September and two more in early October. Neither attack was caught on camera.

Following the third attack, a camera captured the image of a large predatory animal, on Tuesday, Oct. 9. Now armed with evidence of a potential predator, she reached out to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets as well as the wildlife division of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. She also consulted with two professional trappers, whom she preferred not to identify.

Yet her efforts to ID the predator came to a halt since “nobody is convinced that the image that we got on camera is the animal responsible for killing the sheep.” Additionally, officials were unable to identify the type of animal caught on camera. 

Nevertheless, Mordas decided to reach out to town of North East Dog Control Officer Rich Prentice Jr., to keep him in the loop with what was happening in the area, especially in terms of animals potentially using the Harlem Valley Rail Trail to access her property. While Prentice didn’t necessarily agree that the animal on camera was the one responsible for the animal attacks, Mordas was informed that town laws require all animals to be contained or on a leash, and if it was a wild animal, it was a matter of public safety.

“It just seems that the animal that’s doing the killing is on a route,” Mordas said, “but you just don’t know. I am determined to eradicate whatever’s been killing my sheep because this is not sustainable for me.”

In the meantime, Mordas has secured the sheep in one pasture that has not been under attack. Because some of them are now pregnant, she has been trying to keep them as calm as possible for the sake of the unborn lambs. In the coming week, she expects to start working with one of the professional trappers to set up traps on her property. She explained that the traps she plans to use are designed specifically for large animals, such as the one caught on camera.

In addition to attempting to catch the animal responsible, Mordas is looking into getting replacements for the sheep she lost.

“I was very fortunate in that one of my ewes gave birth in September to a set of twin ewe lambs with the crossbreed genetics,” she said. 

Given the unique characteristics of the sheep she lost, Mordas is fully aware of the difficulties she might face in finding replacements: while three sheep were white, one was silver, one was tri-colored and another was golden brown.

“It’s been a real challenge and at the same time, I know that I’m not going to get replacements until I can get the situation under control,” she said.

As far as additional security is concerned, Mordas has been trying to borrow as many additional cameras as she can and has even considered getting a dog, a llama or a donkey to guard the animals. Should anyone have any information about animal attacks or seeing a predatory animal nearby, she hopes they will come forward.