Idaho
New genetics model to estimate wolf numbers in Idaho, shows 13% population decline
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is rolling out a new way to estimate the number of wolves in the state using a genetics-based statistical model.
The Department estimates there were 1,150 wolves in the state in the summer of 2023, or a 13% decline in population from the previous year.
Wildlife Bureau Chief Shane Roberts explained the model starts by calculating the age of harvested wolves.
“There’s a certain tooth that we can pull, and that tooth we send to a lab in Montana that does a cross section of it and dyes it and counts it kind of like a tree ring,” he said. “At the same time, from that same tooth, we can wash it and get the DNA off so all in one sample, a tiny little tooth, we get both the age and the genetic information.”
The DNA samples establish relationships between wolves and are used to estimate reproduction rates.
“The new genetic based method relies on a data source that we’ve been collecting for years, so we can actually go back in time and produce estimates for prior years with the new method,” Roberts said.
In prior years, the department used cameras to estimate wolf density, but according to Roberts, that technique is likely to become obsolete.
”If there’s fewer wolves, we’ll likely get fewer pictures,” he said. “Modeling suggests that as that number declines, that method is probably going to become less reliable. That’s why we started down the path of finding this alternative method that’s genetic based, that does not require us to get pictures of wolves.”
This new genetics method uses a statistical approach similar to one developed in Sweden and Norway, but Idaho is the first state in the U.S. to develop its own model.
The Western Watersheds Project conservation group said it was still reviewing the methodology but Director Greg LeDonne said wolf numbers from Idaho Fish and Game should be taken with caution.
“Past experience with IDF population estimates gives us reason to believe that the new estimate is also flawed, and does not accurately count the state’s wolf population, and in fact, would overstate the actual population of wolves in Idaho,” he said.
These latest numbers are on track with the Department’s controversial 2023 plan to reduce the number of wolves in the state to 500.
“One thing that we need to keep in mind when reviewing any data or other information coming from Idaho Fish and Game concerning wolves is that we are dealing with a state government and a wolf management plan that are dedicated to driving the wolf population down to a level that would once again threaten to extirpate wolves in Idaho,” LeDonne said. “The state government has demonstrated its preference for lethal control of wolves over other non-lethal and more effective methods.”
In the past 12 months, 420 wolves were killed in Idaho, mostly by hunters and trappers.
On Saturday, the United States and Israel launched major strikes in Tehran, with President Trump calling for an Iranian regime change.
RELATED | Trump announces ‘major combat operations’ in Iran, reportedly killing hundreds
President Trump authorized the U.S military operation without congressional approval, a decision that Democrats in Congress are arguing is unconstitutional.
RELATED | Trump’s Iran attack raises legal concerns among Democrats in Congress
Idaho Democratic Party Chair Lauren Necochea says Democrats are “demanding answers and accountability on behalf of the American people, who are being dragged toward another open-ended war they do not support.”
Necochea says her greatest concern lies with American troops, contractors and civilians who she says “did not choose this conflict.”
“Idaho has thousands of active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, and military families who live with the consequences when leaders make reckless choices,” she says.
However, not all lawmakers share Necochea’s sentiments.
Idaho Republican representative Mike Simpson commends President Trump’s “decisive action” in Iran.
Idaho News 6
“Iran was given every opportunity to resolve this peacefully through negotiations but chose not to,” Simpson said in a post to Facebook. “I commend President Trump for taking decisive action against a regime responsible for decades of terror. May God protect our men and women in uniform on this vital mission.”
POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Nearly two-thirds of Idaho voters approved Medicaid expansion, but local leaders say that coverage is now at risk.
According to the organizers of a town hall set for Saturday, February 28, proposed changes could severely impact Idaho’s rural hospitals and leave thousands of residents without access to healthcare.
The town hall, titled “Protecting What Works: Medicaid Expansion in Idaho,” will take place at Chubbuck City Hall from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
A panel of representatives from across the healthcare sector — including home health, hospitals, and public and community health — will answer questions about how Medicaid expansion works in Idaho and how potential cuts could affect communities. Organizers say there will also be time for audience questions.
One of the event organizers told Local News 8 why the discussion is important:
“There have been conversations in the last couple of legislative sessions about either fully repealing Medicaid expansion or making significant cuts to Medicaid,” Shantay Boxham, the organizer, said. “This is an educational forum to ensure voters and community members have the information they need about what the program is, what’s at stake, and how it supports Idaho and Idahoans.”
There are limited seats available for the meeting. To reserve a spot, visit members.pocatello.com.
Local News 8 will continue to follow this story and have updates tomorrow.
Anti-war protest sparks in Indianapolis amid US-Iran conflict
Pittsburgh and Vegas take the ice for non-conference matchup
Protestors in downtown Augusta speak out after strikes on Iran
San Francisco Ballet cancels upcoming performances at Kennedy Center
14-year-old girl shot on Cleveland’s East Side
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Mamdani’s response to Trump’s Iran strike sparks conservative backlash: ‘Rooting for the ayatollah’
Activists hail ‘historic’ EU’s decision on accessible abortion
A long-buried recording and the Supreme Court of old (CT+) : Consider This from NPR
2 Survivors Describe the Terror and Tragedy of the Tahoe Avalanche
Iran fires missiles at US bases across Middle East after American strikes on nuclear, IRGC sites
-
World3 days agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Massachusetts4 days agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Montana1 week ago2026 MHSA Montana Wrestling State Championship Brackets And Results – FloWrestling
-
Louisiana6 days agoWildfire near Gum Swamp Road in Livingston Parish now under control; more than 200 acres burned
-
Denver, CO4 days ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Technology1 week agoYouTube TV billing scam emails are hitting inboxes
-
Technology1 week agoStellantis is in a crisis of its own making
-
Politics1 week agoOpenAI didn’t contact police despite employees flagging mass shooter’s concerning chatbot interactions: REPORT