A number of people have asked if I could post the latest on the reintroduction of wolves into central Idaho.Here is what I have learned.
The wolves seem to be doing fine. There are 12 of the original 15 left in Idaho. One is in Montana. One went back to Canada. Wolf no. 13 was shot late last January.
Several of the wolves have formed pairs, but no breeding pairs have formed among the the Idaho reintroductions. Hopefully next spring there will be pups.
Most of the wolves remain in, or near to the Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness and Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness to the north. Wolves have been observed several times right in the middle of summering livestock. The wolves have ignored the cows.
The wolves are killing some elk and deer, but they are not as effective at this as those in Yellowstone because there are no packs yet. The solitary wolves are eating various rodents for the most part.
One wolf was observed to be within 50 yards of a camper who was setting up his tent. He was unaware of the wolf's presence. This information came from a fly-over.
Tension between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and local ranchers seems to be falling. A good sign, IMO, after the events of last January/February. The government wolf re-introduction people are trying to keep the ranchers well informed.
I don't know if more wolves will come from Canada next January as is presently scheduled. There are what I call two "crazies" in the Idaho congressional delegation -- Helen Chenoweth and Senator Larry Craig. They may try to block things even though their primary constitency (ranchers ,mining, and timber) may be moderating their stance on the wolves as they gain experience with what the presence of wolves actually means.
--Ralph Maughan
Pocatello, Idaho
© 1995 Ralph Maughan
Not to be reprinted, archived, redistributed, etc., without permission.