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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW One of Oregon's two health insurance co-ops says it will shut down ... Rogue Valley gubernatorial candidate blasts Gov. Brown on climate change ... Historical Society executive director stepping down ... One of Oregon's two health insurance co-ops says it will shut down ... Rogue Valley gubernatorial candidate blasts Gov. Brown on climate change ... Historical Society executive director stepping down ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Digging up the truth on backyard predator Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Sep. 16, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Sep. 16, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News This may be a long shot, but I live in east Medford. I had five chickens killed last night in my backyard. My first reaction was raccoons. However, after cleaning up the yard, I found two of my hens partially buried. There was no blood on them, we had to use a pick axe to dig her up because the dirt was so packed down. I was told that raccoons do not bury their kills to save for later, so of course I hit the internet, and much to my surprise, that was the general consensus. I live in the middle of town, near Spring Street and Wabash Avenue. Is it even possible a bobcat made the kill? — Heather.W., Medford Well, Heather, we posed your ponderable to Steve Niemela, a wildlife biologist for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and one who normally doesn't act surprised or stumped that wild animals such as bobcats are in urban settings, especially in east Medford. But even Niemela came out a bit surprised. It's not because you think it's a bobcat. It's not because two of the chickens were buried and it's not because you're in an urban setting. However, it's all three. "It’s tough to say what is doing the killing," Niemela says. In an urban area, Niemela's first suspect would be neighborhood dogs. "Unfortunately, they do a lot more damage than people realize," Niemela says. "But, the carcass-burying is more of a cat-like behavior, which makes me think it’s probably a bobcat." A cougar is still a possibility, Niemela says. Sometimes juvenile males that can't hold down territories in more suitable habitat end up in towns to eke out a living, he says. —Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Sep. 16, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501