Western Watersheds wins a second legal case today

The focus has been on the bighorn sheep versus domestic sheep case, but Greta Anderson of the WWP’s Arizona office won an case before an administratrive law judge today — Western Watersheds Project v. Bureau of Land Management and intervener Byner Cattle Corporation.

Here is the order. Byner Complex Order October 2009

Idaho Public Broadcasting Focuses on Wolves and Wolf Hunt in Idaho

Two Programs and an interview.

Wolf © Ken Cole

Tonight (Thursday, October 15th) Idaho Public Television will focus on wolves in Idaho. They will start off the night with an episode of Outdoor Idaho and open up discussion about wolves following the program on Dialogue where you can call in to ask questions of the panelists.

Panelists include:
Jon Rachael, wildlife manager, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Suzanne Asha Stone, Defenders of Wildlife
Carter Niemeyer, former wolf recovery coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Mike Popp, hunter and outfitter, Kamiah, ID

This morning Boise State Radio played an interesting interview with Carter Niemeyer.

Wolves in Idaho
Idaho Public Television Outdoor Idaho

Wolf Hunting
Idaho Public Television Dialogue

To Catch a Wolf an interview with Carter Niemeyer about wolf trapping in Idaho.
Boise State Radio

Federal judge shutters Idaho grazing allotment

Ruling protects bighorn sheep in the Salmon River Canyon.

Bighorn Sheep © Ken Cole

The BLM Partridge Creek Allotment has been closed to sheep grazing to protect bighorn sheep from domestic sheep disease. This is a big victory for bighorn sheep in the Salmon River Canyon. These sheep are native sheep and have seen drastic declines over the years due to domestic sheep diseases.

This decision follows victories for bighorn sheep on US Forest Service allotments in the area.

Federal judge shutters Idaho grazing allotment
Associated Press UPDATED STORY

Read the order here

From Western Watersheds Project:

WWP expands bighorn sheep protection to Bureau of Land Management lands

~ Jon Marvel

Conservation Targets Too Small To Stop Extinction

Study indicates 5000 mature individuals are needed for population viability

Conservation Targets Too Small To Stop Extinction
RedOrbit

This determination could have profound implications for the protection of many species. Many biologists use a number of 2000 individuals in a population for maintenance of viable populations over the long term. In the Northern Rockies the USFWS believes that 1600 (and declining) wolves represent a viable population that can persist over the long term. The National Park Service presumes that maintaining only 2300 bison in Yellowstone will maintain the genetic diversity needed for long term viability. According the USFWS even fewer grizzlies are needed for recovery with 500-600 bears in the Yellowstone DPS.

According to the new study:

“populations of endangered species are unlikely to persist in the face of global climate change and habitat loss unless they number around 5000 mature individuals or more”

Grizzly Bear, Buffalo, Wolf © Ken Cole

Noise pollution threatens animals

Noisy and getting noisier

Noise pollution threatens animals

“Sounds produced by vehicles, oil and gas fields and urban sprawl interfere with the way animals communicate, mate and prey on one another.”

Great Gray Owl © Ken Cole

Alone on the Range

Just one wild horse left on Flathead Lake’s Wild Horse Island, but there is no shortage of horses that could repopulate the island-

The Missoula Independent did a feature on the contentious issue of the management of the wild (or feral) horses of the West.

Alone on the Range. Only one wild horse remains on Flathead Lake’s Wild Horse Island. As officials look to repopulate the park, the government wrestles with the larger challenge of managing these icons of the West. By Erika Fredrickson.

Interview with new director of the National Park System

Wants to get kids into nature, great! Otherwise interview is a lot of nothing-

New director: All of us should visits parks. Jarvis ranks protection, management of resources among his core values. By Cory Hatch, Jackson Hole Daily.

ID officials fly state plane, mining industry pays

Will there be a similar flight for opponents of the mining? No.

A state owned plane carrying Lt. Gov. Brad Little, Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, House Assistant Majority Leader Scott Bedke, deputy Attorney General Clive Strong, and mining lobbyist Jack Lyman for a tour of eastern Idaho phosphate mining areas was paid for by mining lobbyists. People aren’t too happy about it and some are crying foul because there was no one with differing views of the mining operations on board.

ID officials fly state plane, mining industry pays
John Miller – Associated Press

Our View: Officials should be careful with lobbying
Idaho Statesman

Bird hunter kills sow grizzly north of Choteau

Unfortunately she had three cubs-

Choteau (show toe). This took place on the plains on the Rocky Mountain Front. Despite the mention of Teton County, it is Teton County, Montana not Teton County, Wyoming or Idaho. This pheasant hunter was from Alaska.

Story: Bird hunter kills sow grizzly north of Choteau. Choteau Arcantha.

The grizzly cubs won’t likely make it.