Wolf Weekly Wrap-up

Wolf Awareness Week coming up! – That’s right, folks. Next week is Wolf Awareness Week. Last year we did a week-long series filled with facts about wolves and even a short trivia quiz (scroll to the bottom). This year we’ll be bringing you reports from the field from special guests on ongoing wolf conservation efforts around the Rockies. Be sure to tune in.

A herder and his dogs round up a flock of sheep in central Idaho's Wood River Valley.

Wood River projects ending fourth successful season – Project partners for the Wood River Wolf Project in central Idaho gathered yesterday to celebrate the year’s successes and discuss plans for the future. Defenders’ wolf expert Suzanne Stone led the meeting of field technicians, agency wildlife managers, one rancher and a local commissioner, who all had ideas for improving the project in future years. This year, a total of just five sheep were lost out of more than 10,000. The incident happened on a single night when the sheep were accidentally left unguarded, proving once again that the nonlethal preventative measures do work–depredations only occur when there are lapses in protection.

This year the project expanded slightly onto adjoining private lands in an attempt to spread better coexistence practices countywide. Earlier in the season, several ranchers attended a training workshop to learn more about techniques like using electrified fencing and flagging to protect their livestock. And at least one new rancher was brought into the fold this year, agreeing to use nonlethal deterrents to protect his livestock from wolves. Next year, we hope to continue expanding the project to include protection for more cattle ranches in Blaine County. Congrats to the whole team for another great year!

Guard dogs are awesome – A new study from Idaho State University has found that flocks of sheep accompanied by livestock guarding dogs covered more ground than flocks without guard dogs. The implication is that sheep may feel safer and more relaxed with their canine protectors around, so they can spend more time munching grass and less time watching their own back. ISU’s press release goes one step further drawing conclusions:

Sheep that are less stressed are healthier animals that may gain more weight, have lower health costs and are of higher value. In a new wrinkle of their studies, this group of researchers at the 28,000-acre U.S. Experimental Sheep Station may start testing the stress level of the livestock in these GPS studies through simple available tests.

The study has larger implications, too, if ranchers and herders begin recognizing the value of livestock guardian dogs, according to Weber. While there is a polarizing debate going on regarding predators, particularly wolves, and livestock in the Intermountain West, Idaho State University researchers may have found a partial middle ground in the form of man’s best friend.

“Employing livestock guardian dogs can be a win-win situation,” said Weber. “For livestock producers, the livestock guardian dogs can protect their sheep and cattle, without predators being removed. Having guard dogs can be very cost effective for livestock producers.”

The hunt is on – Wolf hunts have been under way for several weeks now, but wolves aren’t the only ones running scared. Great Falls Tribune Outdoor Editor Michael Babcock says he’s become very leery of taking his hunting dogs into wolf country. He writes:

“As Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 1 Supervisor Jim Satterfield said once when talking about the chance of encountering wolves or grizzly bears, Montana hunters need to be aware they are not hunting in a zoo.

It’s wild out there.”

That’s a good reminder for anyone heading out into wolf country, but especially those with dogs. Wolves perceive other dogs as a threat and may attack to defend their turf. Take extra precaution to keep your pets out of harm’s way by keeping them nearby and preferably on a leash.

Teton officials question Wyoming wolf plan – The Jackson Hole News & Guide revisited a story that puts wildlife managers at Grand Teton National Park at odds with the Interior Department over Wyoming’s wolf management plan. As Defenders has repeatedly pointed out, Wyoming’s plan would allow wolves to be killed by any means for much of the year on public lands across the state. Park Superintendent Mary Gibson Scott has pointed out that doing so could jeopardize the dispersal of wolves that move through the Tetons. Local Teton County commissioners have also expressed their opposition to the plan and have been pushing for a year-round trophy game management zone instead of allowing seasonal predator status. Read more about the proposal to prematurely strip federal protections for wolves in Wyoming.