Elk NetworkCrash Site Specialist Frees Elk from Fencing

General | December 28, 2018

As stated on its website, “the mission of the Oregon State Police is to serve the State of Oregon with a diverse workforce dedicated to the protection of people, property and natural resources.”

Richard Culley is an example of that diverse workforce. Specifically, he’s a trooper who specializes in reconstructing crash sites. When OSP received a call about a cow elk in distress near Sweet Home in eastern Oregon, area fish and wildlife troopers were tied up in training so Culley took action.

He grabbed some wire cutters and found the cow with three of its four legs tangled up in fencing. He methodically cut the wires and removed the elk which, though exhausted, finally got up on its feet and wandered off.

(Photo source: Oregon State Police)