Study finds killing of protected Idaho wildlife higher than previously known
BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — A recent study has found the killing of protected Idaho wildlife is actually higher than people previously thought.
The study quantified a problem for several species of birds and snakes in two conservation areas in southwestern Idaho.
Between 2013 and 2019, illegal shooting was responsible for the death of 33 percent of long-billed curlews tracked by Boise State researchers and 59 percent of bird carcasses found and for which a cause of death was identified. One Idaho population of long-billed curlews affected by illegal shooting, on the ACEC, has declined by more than 90 percent in four decades.
“Only after years of repeated discoveries by the groups involved with this study were scientists able to collect enough data to quantify the extent of the illegal killings,” said Katzner.
The main areas of critical concern are the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area and the Long-billed Curlew Habitat Area.
"Our study showed that illegal killing of protected wildlife species in our study area was much more common than previously known, suggesting that this issue is likely more widespread and impactful to species and populations than currently understood," said Jay Carlisle, one of the authors of the study, and an associate research professor in the Boise State Department of Biological Sciences and research director at the Intermountain Bird Observatory.
The journal Conservation Science and Practice published the study that included 18 authors representing Boise State's Department of Biological Sciences, Intermountain Bird Observatory, and the Raptor Research Center; the U.S. Geological Survey; the Idaho Army National Guard; Mount St. Mary’s University; and Conservation Science Global, Inc., with cooperating partners the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, and the Idaho Power Corporation.
