Federal agency seeks signs of wolves in two more southeast Idaho counties
By Chris Hunt – Idaho State Journal
POCATELLO – Officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife
Services Division are asking ranchers in southeast Idaho, particularly in
Oneida and Caribou counties, to be on the lookout for wolves targeting
domestic livestock. According to federal wolf recovery officials, there’s
a strong likelihood that the predators have wandered into the region in
search of new territory. So far, no livestock owners have reported wolves
preying on domestic animals, but Wildlife Services officer Craig Maycock
wants to be prepared.
“So far, we’re just in the wait and see mode,” Maycock said Tuesday. “It
looks like wolves are in the area, and I’ve instructed our personnel to
look for more sign. We’d really like to know if they’re setting up house
around here.”
Maycock says his office, which can legally kill predators that target
livestock, has confirmed the presence of wolf tracks in the Dry Valley
area northeast of Soda Springs.
Several residents in Oneida County have reported seeing wolves west of
Malad. Both locales, especially later in the spring and summer when
ranchers turn livestock loose on public lands, hold the potential for
wolf-livestock interaction.
And that usually means wolves can be targeted by Wildlife Services.
Maycock asks ranchers and other livestock owners who believe a wolf is
responsible for killing domestic animals to preserve the kill and any wolf
sign around the carcass. Like a forensics detective, Maycock must be able
to prove beyond a reasonable doubt wolves are responsible for dead
livestock.
“Cover the animal with a tarp – don’t let any other animals get near it.
The only way we can be sure it’s a wolf is to get a good look at the
evidence,” he said. “And the sooner you report it, the better.”
Anyone who suspects wolves are responsible for the death of livestock may
call Wildlife Services in Pocatello at 236-6921 or in Boise at (208)
378-5077.