WILDLIFE BOARD: Unnecessary bureaucracy
When livestock producers in Idaho experience a possible predation event involving wolves, mountain lions, black bears, or grizzly bears, they typically contact the USDA’s APHIS-Wildlife Services. Within 48 hours, a federally trained investigator arrives to conduct a necropsy (animal autopsy) to determine whether a predator was responsible.
On March 13, Gov. Brad Little signed Senate Bill 1012 into law, creating the Idaho Depredating Wildlife Appeals Board. This board allows livestock producers to bypass professional Wildlife Services investigations in favor of a closed-door review by the director of Idaho Fish and Game (or their designee), the director of the Department of Agriculture (or their designee), and a veterinarian appointed by the governor. While veterinarians play a critical role in animal health, most are not trained in necropsies or in distinguishing the kill patterns of wolves versus coyotes, or black bears versus grizzlies.
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