Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Be aware when wolves are around


By REGAN BERKLEY

Rarely are predators such as wolves as visible as they have been over the past week in communities around Ketchum and Hailey. Such visibility has justifiably sparked questions and concerns among Wood River Valley residents. It seems to be a good time to examine some facets of predator-prey interactions, and address some of the specific concerns that we share with the residents of communities such as Golden Eagle and Elkhorn.

Why has the Phantom Hill wolf pack moved from its regular haunts north of the SNRA toward neighborhoods in the Wood River Valley? The answer is relatively simple: The pack has discovered a source of abundant and relatively naïve food. Few elk winter north of the SNRA; the snow is deep up there, and elk tend to move to lower elevations in the winter. Because elk comprise a substantial portion of an Idaho wolf's diet, wolves will tend to move toward concentrations of elk such as those found near Elkhorn and Golden Eagle.

We do not know how the wolves "suddenly" discovered these concentrations of elk. So far, however, they have been quite effective predators of elk in these areas. In a few cases, wolves have killed elk uncomfortably close to houses. In one case, wolves apparently killed a cougar that had come to scavenge an elk that the wolves had killed earlier. These are not uncommon or unnatural events; however, it can be unsettling to have them occur so close to where people live and recreate.

There are a few points to remember when living and recreating close to predators. First, most wildlife, including predators, want to have as little contact with humans as possible. However, it is prudent to be cautious around any wildlife, as they can be dangerous when they are startled or feel threatened. When recreating in areas frequented by predators or other wildlife, take a friend and stay alert. Although wolves can be fascinating to watch, it is best to observe them at a distance through binoculars or a spotting scope. Never approach a wolf.

Second, dogs and wolves do not mix. Wolves have attacked dogs. If you live in an area near a wolf pack, be vigilant about your dog's activities and keep your dog close. Keep an eye on your dog when you let it out at night, and keep your dog on a leash during walks. Do not assume that your dog will chase away wolves—even a large domestic dog is no threat to a pack of 10 wolves. Finally, other domesticated animals such as llamas, horses, cattle, sheep, etc. can all be threatened by wolves. The closer they are to home, the safer they will be.

Aside from potential for conflict with humans, it can be disturbing to watch wolves engage in predation on elk. It is a reminder that natural systems are sometimes quite brutal. Recent elk counts suggest that the elk population on the west side of the Wood River Valley is relatively healthy; the elk count conducted in January in Unit 48 (which borders Highway 75 to the west) was similar to what we observed in 2006, and higher than the previous several counts. However, we will closely monitor the situation and document, as best possible, the elk mortality that occurs due to predation by Phantom Hill wolves.

As the snow melts, it is likely that elk will move higher in the hills, following the newfound availability of forage. The wolves are inclined to follow their prey, and will probably move away from civilization and become less visible over the next few weeks. Until then, everyone's vigilance and caution will help avoid human conflicts with this wolf pack.




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