Nobody has been able to figure out why, but a lot of cows are missing on the Western Slope.

At least 37 cows have disappeared from herds in the Burns, Colo., area recently and the Eagle County Sheriff's Office is exploring all possibilities.

So far, they've ruled out alien abductions.

Ranchers Pat Luark, Bill Nottingham and Rod Schlegel all reported losses from their herds.

Luark reported that he is missing 11 cows and 11 calves, amounting to $20,000.

Nottingham is missing two Angus bulls and five cows. Schlegel is missing about seven animals.

The possibilities include rustlers or natural predators, according to the sheriff's office.

Still, Schlegel says the area where the cows disappeared is pretty wild. “Things can happen out there and they never appear again," he said.

Additional Resources:

• FARK.com Discussion Of This Story
  (Caution: may contain objectionable language)