Wolf Report: Wolves Unintentionally Killed by Poison

Federal wildlife agents reported on January 31 that two wolves were killed inadvertently by poison devices placed for coyote control on private land near Riggins. No wolf sign had been seen previously in the area. These are the first wolves in Idaho killed by M-44 devices, which shoot sodium cyanide powder into the mouth of an animal when it pulls on the baited devices, registered with the federal Environmental Protection Agency. The animal dies within 10 seconds to two minutes. The remaining M-44s were removed, and officials are trying to find ways to further reduce the likelihood of more incidental wolf deaths. An investigation is ongoing. In other action, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services January 29 confirmed that a wolf attacked and injured two livestock guard dogs on private land in the North Fork of Shingle Creek south of Riggins. One of the dogs' injuries may be life threatening; the other has less serious wounds. The wolf responsible for the attack may be associated with the Lick Creek Pack. After consulting with Fish and Game, Wildlife Services will begin efforts to kill one wolf. The livestock owner also was presented with the option of using use fladry-a string of flags-to keep wolves from his sheep and dogs. On January 30, Wildlife Services confirmed that wolves of the Copper Basin Pack killed a calf on private land near Mackay Reservoir. While in the air the crew found another calf carcass, which was also confirmed as a wolf kill. Wildlife Services agents and an Idaho Department of Fish and Game conservation officer retrieved the carcasses of the two wolves that Wildlife Services shot from a helicopter on February 1. Both carcasses were turned over to Fish and Game for educational purposes. February 2, Wildlife Services received a report that five wolves were seen running through a herd of cattle on a private ranch near Glenns Ferry. Wildlife Services already had traps set on the ranch for coyote control, but they were of a size and type that might capture and hold a wolf. To prevent this, agents replaced the existing traps with that should reduce the chances of capturing and holding a wolf. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's weekly wolf report is available at http://westerngraywolf.fws.gov/.