By Terry Thompson, Regional Communications Manager
Tuesday, December 31, 2019 – 5:01 PM MST

A elk calf that had become entangled in garden materials near Hailey was freed by Fish and Game officers on Saturday December 28.

On Saturday morning, December 28, Fish and Game officers received reports from Blaine County residents about an elk calf that had become entangled in a discarded tomato cage and bucket just north of Hailey. By mid-day, officers were able to locate the calf on the west side of Highway 75 in a grove of trees.

Knowing the calf would not be able to free itself from the metal, Fish and Game staff made the decision to dart the calf and remove the metal cage.

According to Senior Conservation Officer Clark Shackelford, “Darting an animal with an anesthetizing drug is a difficult undertaking. We can never be sure how much stress the animal has been in prior to darting or how each animal will react to the drugs. And more importantly, handling these drugs, often in extreme conditions, can place the Fish and Game officers at risk too.”

In this instance, the elk was successfully anesthetized, and the metal tomato cage and plastic bucket were removed.

By Terry Thompson, Regional Communications Manager
Monday, December 23, 2019 – 3:23 PM MST

A number of mountain lion attacks on dogs have occurred in the Wood River Valley over the last week.

Fish and Game officers received a report on Monday, December 23, about a mountain lion attack on a Labrador retriever on Saturday, December 21, north of Hailey. The homeowner reported letting their dog out about 6:15 a.m. that morning, then shortly after, hearing loud noises in their backyard. They immediately checked and found a mountain lion attacking their dog in the unfenced backyard. Shortly after the homeowner confronted the lion, it let the dog go.

The dog received injuries in the attack, but survived and is back home with its owners.

This is the fifth reported mountain lion attack on dogs in the Wood River Valley over the last week. Three dogs have died due to these attacks.

Mountain lions typically prey on elk and deer, but will opportunistically take other animals when they are present. Elk and mule deer have become year-round residents of the Wood River Valley which is seemingly increasing the number of predators throughout the area.

According to Senior Conservation Officer Brandyn Hurd, “This attack occurred in an area with a known herd of mule deer, which might have brought the lion into close proximity to this neighborhood.”

Residents and visitors to the Wood River Valley are reminded to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings, especially during the early morning and evening hours.

Pet owners should always check the surrounding area before letting their pets outside. If possible, they should accompany them when outside, especially when it’s dark. When walking your pet, keep them on a leash.

Mountain lions can easily jump a 6 foot fence, so don’t assume a fenced backyard is a secure space.

Techniques to stay safe around your home in mountain lion country include:

Don’t feed your pets outside, or leave their food dishes outside your home.

Ensure there are no spaces around your home accessible to a mountain lion to use as a den, such as under decks, sheds, or window wells.

Turn on exterior lights when going outside your home when it’s dark outside.

If you encounter a mountain lion, do not run away! Make yourself look as big as possible, yell, and slowly back away from the encounter. Do not turn your back on the lion. Bear spray may be a good safety item to carry with you as well.

Wood River Valley residents and visitors should immediately report any encounter that results in an attack to the Magic Valley Regional Office at (208) 324-4359 during business hours. If after hours, local Conservation Officers can be reached by calling the Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) hotline at 1-800-632-5999.

Reports can also be made to the Blaine County Sheriff at (208) 788-5555.

Observations of a mountain lion in your area should also be reported to the Fish and Game, Magic Valley Regional Office.

By Terry Thompson, Regional Communications Manager
Wednesday, December 18, 2019 – 5:14 PM MST

Two dogs were killed in separate mountain lion attacks in the Warm Springs area of Ketchum.

Fish and Game officers in the Wood River Valley received two reports of separate fatal mountain lion attacks on dogs early Wednesday morning, Dec. 18. These were the third and fourth mountain lion attacks on dogs in the Wood River Valley over a period of five days, two of which took place over the prior weekend.

Upon investigation, officers found that a mountain lion attacked a dog in its fenced backyard where it received significant injuries from the attack. The dog survived, but had to be euthanized by a local veterinarian.

Shortly after the first report, Fish and Game officers were notified of a second dog that had been killed as a result of a mountain lion attack within blocks of the first incident.

Fish and Game immediately called for assistance from an individual who owns a hound that could be used to track the lion. Shortly after, the hound was able to locate the lion hiding under a deck, just across the street from the attack. Once located, officers euthanized the lion to ensure public safety.

“The mountain lions living within our local communities seem to be growing more accustomed to hunting in and around neighborhoods,” according to Senior Conservation Officer Clark Shackelford.

He added, “The large number of resident deer and elk are bringing the lions into town, and then the lions, which normally feed on these animals, are also finding that there are other things to prey upon, which unfortunately can include local residents pets.”

Shackelford reminds local residents to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings when outside, especially those with pets.

“If you walk your dog, especially in the early morning, or evening, keep your pet on a leash. Winter is just beginning, and we anticipate that mountain lions will continue to move into the valley over the coming months due to the availability of prey.”

Editor’s Note: Conservation officers were notified of a fifth mountain lion attack on a dog that occurred on Saturday, Dec. 21 near Hailey. For more information about the most recent incident, visit: https://idfg.idaho.gov/press/mountain-lion-attacks-and-injures-dog-near-…

If anyone encounters a mountain lion, there are key strategies to remember; NEVER run, but back away from the lion slowly, and make as much noise as possible.

If you have a significant encounter with a mountain lion please call the Magic Valley Regional Office or local law enforcement immediately.

Magic Valley Regional Office: (208) 324-4359

Blaine County Sheriff: 911 or (208) 788-5555

By Terry Thompson, Regional Communications Manager
Tuesday, December 17, 2019 – 9:55 AM MST

Mountain lions in Wood River Valley attack dogs, resulting in the death of one dog.

Local Fish and Game officers were notified Monday of two mountain lion attacks over the weekend in the Wood River Valley. On Sunday evening December 15, 2019, a domestic dog was killed in Gimlet, south of Ketchum. According to Fish and Game officers, the lion was in a fenced backyard when it killed the home owner’s dog, a pudelpointer.

In response, with the permission of the homeowner, Fish and Game will immediately attempt to trap and remove the lion from that location. According to Regional Conservation Officer Josh Royse, “once a lion gets a food reward from a kill, they will often return to the site.”

Decisions regarding what to do with wildlife involved in conflict situations are determined on a case-by-case basis. Each situation is unique. Once the facts are known and evaluated, a decision is then made about the required course of action. In this specific situation, the department has determined that once caught, the lion will be euthanized to ensure public safety of area residents and their pets.

An unrelated mountain lion encounter occurred on Saturday evening in west Ketchum. A local homeowner let his Australian shepherd outside in an unfenced area when a chance encounter occurred with a mountain lion on their porch. The dog sustained injuries and is under the care of a local veterinarian. The pet owner was able to stop the attack shortly after it began. The lion immediately left the area when confronted. At this time, no actions will be taken to capture the lion involved in this situation.

Predator and prey
Mountain lions typically prey on deer and elk, as well as small animals such as rabbits and hares. The Wood River Valley has many resident deer and elk living in close proximity to neighborhoods, which increases the chances of mountain lions coming into local neighborhoods in search of food. Lions are opportunistic predators, meaning they may prey on whatever they encounter, which can include pets.

Residents are strongly encouraged to not leave their pets outdoors unattended.

Wood River Valley residents and visitors are cautioned to be aware of potential encounters with wildlife, especially mountain lions, during evening or early morning hours.

How to be safe around your own home
Do not feed pets outside. Pet food or their dishes left outside can also attract other small wild animals which can bring more prey into your neighborhood for lions to pursue.

• If you encounter a mountain lion, you should follow these rules to stay safe:
• Stay calm. Either hold your ground or back away slowly. Do not turn your back on the lion.
• Do NOT run. Running may stimulate its natural instinct to chase.
• Do not approach a lion, especially one that is feeding or has kittens.
• Never crouch down or bend over. Make yourself appear as big as possible. Aggressively wave your arms.
• Make loud sounds that do not sound like those made by prey.
• If attacked, fight back! It’s critical to protect your neck and throat.

For more information about how to stay safe in lion country please visit the Idaho Department of Fish and Game website and search for “Living with Mountain Lions”.

To report direct encounters with mountain lions contact the Magic Valley Regional Office at (208) 324-4359.