In July, 58 pregnant cows that had been grazing in North Dakota's Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge were found dead. Another 15, also pregnant, lost their fetuses but survived. How or why this happened is a mystery. According to a KVRR news report, "Stutsman County Sheriff's Major Jason Falk says it appears the deaths were caused by something that was not naturally occurring."
Dr. Gerald Stokka, North Dakota State University Extension veterinarian and livestock stewardship specialist, indicated that veterinary diagnostics and clinical observations previously ruled out lightning, anthrax, blue-green algae; clostridial disease, lead poisoning, lack of water and naturally occurring nitrate toxicity.
The Sherriff's Department and the North Dakota Stockmen's Association are offering a $40,000 reward for information that leads to the "conviction of the person or persons responsible."
But what if it's not… a person?
