Ongoing Monitoring

Control Action Summary during FY2000

Idaho Wildlife Service reports a continued gradual increase in the number of potential wolf depredation investigations and control actions implemented. Wolves were confirmed to be involved in 24 of the 55 investigations conducted. Reported confirmed and probable livestock losses included 15 confirmed calves killed, 2 probable calves killed, 55 confirmed sheep killed, and 3 probable sheep killed. Wildlife Services initiated 18 control actions during FY2000. Five wolf packs were involved in confirmed livestock depredations including Jureano Mountain, Twin Peaks, White Cloud, Big Smokey, and Stanley Basin. In addition wolves of unknown origin were involved in three confirmed depredations near Soda Springs, Arco, and McCall, ID. Control actions resulted in the control of 20 wolves. Four wolves were collared and released on site (two were subsequently lethally controlled), 8 wolves were relocated, and 10 wolves were lethally controlled. In addition, the two remaining pups from the Jureano Mountain pack's 1999 litter were relocated during a management action to prevent inevitable depredations.

Jureano Mountain.   Control actions, illegal take, desease, and dispersal through the summer of 1999 essentially eliminated the Jureano Mountain pack. Surviving pack members, two pups of the year, were helicopter darted in March of 2000 and relocated to the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness when they habitually scavenged close to livestock operations. Although the pups did not stay together, both survived and are currently being monitored. A dispersing Jureano Mountain pack female paired with an unknown mate and returned to claim her mother's vacated territory. The revived Jureano Mountain pack were implicated in two depredation incidences on public grazing allotments during the summer of 2000 resulting in confirmed losses of 3 calves. No control actions were implemented in either incident. In one incident, cattle were successfully moved out of the area, and in other was part of the Diamond Moose calf mortality research project.

Twin Peaks.   The Twin Peaks pack depredated livestock on private land during the winter calving season. Livestock depredation continued between January and March and included confirmed losses of 5 calves. Control actions resulted in relocation of the alpha pair (B18 and B35), lethal control of 4 wolves, and collaring and releasing on site one wolf (B83). Post control pack composition was estimated to be around 3 uncollared subadult wolves. Their current status is unknown, although wolf activity has been reported in the depredation area throughout the summer. The alpha female, B35, was presumed pregnant at the time of her relocation. The Twin Peaks alpha pair remained together after release and appeared to settle in an area south of Anaconda, Montana. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists were not able to document the breeding status of this pair over the summer. Radio contact was lost last fall and their current status is unknown. Wolf B83 dispersed to Baker, Oregon where he was hit and killed by an automobile.

White Cloud.   The White Cloud pack depredated livestock on private property during the winter calving season. Confirmed losses included 4 calves. Control actions resulted in relocation of 4 wolves, and lethal control of 5 wolves (including the alpha male which was initially relocated). The four members of the White Cloud pack were relocated to The Selway Bitterroot Wilderness. Relocated wolves included the pregnant alpha female B36, the alpha male B85, and two subordinate pack members (B63 and B86). The intent was to relocate as many of the pack as possible and maintain pack integrity. It has hoped that birth of the pups would anchor the relocated "pack" close to the release site. Unfortunately, the group split up, going their separate ways immediately after release. Unexpectedly, the alpha male left the female and returned to his territory where he was subsequently killed during control actions. Alpha female B36 produced a minimum of 2 pups raising them on her own in the Lost Trail Pass area near Gibbonsville, Idaho. Currently, B36, and presumably her pups, has joined her son B86 in the Big Hole area of Montana. The Big Hole is prime wolf country and wolves have attempted to recolonize this area on at least two previous occasions. Unfortunately, a large portion of the Big Hole is in private ownership producing large numbers of livestock. During the winter, when natural prey is scarce, livestock become extremely vulnerable to wolf depredation. Two previous recolonizing attempts by wolves in this area have resulted in lethal removal of those wolves. As a proactive conservation measure, the Recovery Project is attempting to relocate the White Cloud wolves to northern Idaho. Relocated wolf B63 has also frequented on the north end of the Big Hole. This wolf however, is staying out of livestock producing areas traveling between the Big Hole and Bitterroot Valley of Montana.

Big Smokey.   The Big Smokey pack depredated on 5 sheep early this summer. At the time of the depredation, the status of this group of wolves was unknown. In response, to confirmed depredations, Wildlife Services and Nez Perce Tribal trapping crews captured and radio collared wolves in this group. Radio collared wolves were released on site to better determine the status of these wolves. Subsequent monitoring confirmed reproduction and the formation of a new pack. Although the Big Smokey pack frequented both sheep and cattle allotments throughout the summer, no further depredations were reported.

Stanley Basin.   The Recovery Program committed much time and effort addressing livestock depredations involving the Stanley Basin pack through much of the summer. The Stanley Basin pack continued to depredate on livestock throughout much of the summer form early June through mid September, despite efforts to discourage continued depredations. The Stanley Basin pack was involved in 7 confirmed depredation incidences resulting in the loss of 27 sheep and 1 calf. Nez Perce Tribal field crews and members of the Boulder White Cloud Council engaged in intensive monitoring and non-lethal hazing to prevent wolves from interacting with livestock. Control actions resulted in the relocations of two pack members including the alpha male, and lethal control of one pack member. Continued livestock depredations by the Stanley Basin pack despite management and control efforts indicate the difficulties of keeping wolves from killing livestock, once they have incorporated livestock into their diet. The chronic nature of the problem also indicates the need for more creative management and a higher level of cooperation among the Recovery Project, cooperating agencies and organizations, and livestock producers to resolve wolf-livestock conflict.