Fish and Game Looking for Deer with Lice

Blue No. 60 may be lice-free, but others of her kind, living in south Boise, may remain infested. Fish and Game is asking for the public's help to determine if such is the case. In March, several south Boise residents reported seeing a mule deer doe with serious hair loss and open sores. The nearly tame deer was examined by Fish and Game's wildlife veterinarian, Dr. Mark Drew on April 3, and found to be infested with lice. Not just any louse species, but an exotic deer louse, Bovicola tibialis. This louse has been found in other parts of the state, but this was the first confirmed occurrence of B. tibialis in the Treasure Valley. The deer was treated on April 3 and again on May 7, when she was found to be louse free. The deer's hair had begun growing back and the open sores were completely healed. She was given an ear tag, "Blue No. 60," and released. Her untreated companions in the target area might not be so lucky. Fish and Game staff members hope to determine the number of deer living in a four-square-mile area contained by South Cloverdale and S. Maple Grove Roads and West Victory and Lake Hazel Roads. They also hope to determine whether the louse poses a health risk to these local deer. Residents in the target area can help in this effort. "We're asking folks living in this area to let us know if and where they see Blue No. 60 and whether she is traveling with other deer," Fish and Game conservation officer Joey Ishida said. "The number of deer, their location and noting any hair loss would be great information to receive." Reports of Blue No. 60's location, any traveling companions and their physical condition may be sent directly to Ishida at joey.ishida@idfg.idaho.gov. For information on B. tibialis, visit the Idaho Fish and Game website at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/wildlife/?getPage=322.