Idaho proposes Wolf hunting seasons; Wisconsin says US Fish & Wildlife proposal recognizing two Wolf species hamstrings efforts to manage Wolf population; Mississippi reports four more human West Nile Virus cases; North Dakota reports first human West Nile Virus case; Florida horses stricken by Eastern Equine Encephalitis; Virginia men attacked by Fox; California town considers hiring professional to shoot Coyotes; Massachusetts town will continue regulated bow-hunting to control Deer population; West Virginians report Mountain Lion sightings; West Nile Virus reports from D.C., Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania; and Rabies reports from New Mexico, and North Carolina. Travel Warnings for The Bahamas.

Gray Wolf. Photo by Quarti. Wikimedia Commons.

Idaho 07/28/11 idaho.gov: Press Release – Idaho Fish and Game proposes to set wolf hunting seasons throughout most of the state ranging from August 30, 2011 to March 31, 2012, in 13 wolf management zones. Harvest limits are being proposed in the Salmon, Southern Mountain, Beaverhead, Island Park and Sawtooth Zones, where hunting proved effective in more open country and additional wolf mortality occurs from control actions to resolve ongoing livestock depredations. In 2009, hunters met harvest limits in these zones except in the Sawtooth Zone, which was 90 percent achieved. Fish and Game proposes higher harvest limits for these zones for the upcoming hunting season to reduce continued conflict with livestock.

Recent research confirms wolves are dispersing throughout the northern Rocky Mountains, and Idaho wolves are breeding with populations in other states and vice versa. Nevertheless, Fish and Game has proposed a closing date of December 31 for the Beaverhead and Island Park Zones, which closes hunting prior to the peak snowmobile season in Island Park and corresponds to the closing dates in Montana. These zones are late winter/spring dispersal areas between Yellowstone Park and other wolf populations in Montana and Wyoming.

Fish and Game is not proposing specific harvest limits in the Panhandle, Lolo, Selway and Middle Fork Zones because of documented impacts to elk and other prey species. Terrain or access is difficult in these areas and hunters did not reach harvest limits in the Panhandle, Lolo, and Selway Zones in 2009. Fish and Game isn’t proposing specific harvest limits in the Palouse-Hells Canyon, Dworshak-Elk City, McCall-Weiser, and Southern Idaho Zones because of high conflict potential with livestock and other domestic animals. Fish and Game uses a similar strategy for black bears and mountain lions, which have long been under state management. In general, both populations are thriving in Idaho.

Hunters will be required to report wolf harvests within 72 hours and bring harvested wolves to Fish and Game to confirm gender, approximate age, kill location and other information. In 2009, less than one-percent of hunters who purchased an Idaho wolf tag were successful. To increase harvest rates in 2011, Fish and Game proposes to allow electronic calls and increase the annual bag limit to two wolves for hunters. (For more details go to http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/hunt/?getPage=266 )

Gray Wolf

Wisconsin 07/28/11 jsonline.com: by Lee Bergquist – Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp wants federal protections removed for the gray wolf, but said Thursday that a proposal by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that recognized two wolf species would hamstring Wisconsin’s efforts to manage the animal’s burgeoning population. The Fish and Wildlife Service is expected to issue new regulations this fall that would attempt, for the third time, to remove wolves from the list of species protected by the federal Endangered Species Act. State officials have applauded this because it would give Wisconsin more authority to control a wolf population that is conservatively estimated to total 782 to 824, figures from a winter survey show.

The population zooms to nearly double that figure in the summer as pups are born. But with a low survival rate and the death of about 25% of adults, the population drops again by winter. Wisconsin’s management goal for wolves is 350, and as numbers have grown, conflicts have arisen: Depredation of livestock, and more recently, pets in areas where wolf packs live. Adrian Wydeven, wolf biologist with the DNR, said that agency has paid more than $1 million in reimbursements to those who have had livestock and pets killed by wolves since 1985.

Eastern Wolf

During a meeting in Minocqua, Stepp said the DNR is opposed to aspects of the proposed rule that recognized the presence of two distinct species of wolves in the Midwest: The gray wolf, or Canis lupus, the wolf species currently listed under the protection act, and the eastern wolf, or Canis lycaon, which has a historical range that includes portions of eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. Stepp and others with the DNR said the agency would have great difficulty managing wolf populations, if the gray wolf was de-listed and the eastern wolf was protected because genetic testing has showed that Wisconsin’s wolf is mix of both species. Tim Andryk, an attorney for the DNR, said the DNR has managed wolves as a single population since 1978. “They are physically indistinguishable,” he said.

Also attending the meeting was Bill Horn, legislative director of the United States Sportsmen’s Alliance. He said the agency’s conclusion that a newly new species exists in the Midwest is a “low hanging curve ball” that opponents will use as in new lawsuit to again challenge the law. Groups that want to ensure the protection of wolves have said that wolves are still largely absent from their historical range, and the Fish and Wildlife Service should use its authority to protect the newly discovered species.

Mississippi 07/26/11 ms.gov: Press Release – Today the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) reports four new human cases of West Nile virus (WNV). The cases were reported in Coahoma, Hinds, Marion and Pearl River counties. This brings the state total for 2011 to five.

North Dakota 07/27/11 ndhan.gov: Press Release – The North Dakota Department of Health today announced the state’s first human case of West Nile virus infection for 2011, according to West Nile Virus Program Manager Michelle Feist. The patient is a male age 10 to19 who resides in Towner County. The patient was not hospitalized.  In 2010, nine human cases of West Nile virus were reported to the Department of Health. Peak illness onset occurred during the week ending Aug. 21, 2010. In addition, West Nile infection was identified in two horses, one dog and one reindeer.

Florida 07/27/11 ocala.ws: “Marion County has experienced its first positive case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis,” said Dr. Nathan Grossman, director of the Marion County Health Department. “While the community does not need to be alarmed, citizens should take extra precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones.” This case of EEE was diagnosed in a horse residing in the Summerfield area. While there is no vaccine to protect humans from EEE, the disease can be prevented in horses with the use of vaccinations.

Florida 07/26/11 wjhg.com: by Bryan Anderson – Bonifay resident Lou Harman kept a close eye on his horses Tuesday afternoon after one of them contracted Eastern Equine Encephalitis. “I noticed him looking, acting a little different,” said Harman. Within three days, Harman said the miniature horse named “Jim” took a turn for the worse. “I got up early that morning about daylight, and went to check on him and he acted like he couldn’t see and was kind of walking sideways,” said Harman. Harman made the difficult decision to euthanize his horse.  “It kind of messes up the whole family,” said Harman. Health officials said recent rains have made the mosquito season more active, and they’re alerting residents of other potentially deadly diseases. “If you’ve got Eastern Equine Encephalitis out there, you may have some of the others that can be transmitted to humans more readily than that one like the West Nile,” said Jackie Parker, Holmes County Environmental Director. Parker said it doesn’t take much for a home to become a haven for mosquitoes.”As a rule, less than an inch of water will easily grow or raise several mosquitoes,” said Parker. After losing a horse to Eastern Equine, Harman said he’s not taking any more chances. “From now on twice a year, I’m going to be giving shots,” said Harman. Nearly forty birds in Florida have tested positive this year for the West Nile virus, and two horses and more than 30 birds have contracted Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

Virginia 07/27/11 timesdispatch.com: by Tammie Smith – A Richmond man fought and killed a rabid fox during an early morning walk Sunday along the James River, just hours after another man reported being bitten by a fox at Belle Isle. Richmond City Health District officials said they strongly suspect the same fox attacked both people but cannot be certain. “If you look at the locations on Belle Isle and (the Lee Bridge path), it could have been the same fox,” said Kenneth W. Smith, environmental health manager for the Richmond City Health District. Smith said both fox bite victims are being treated with a post-exposure rabies vaccination.

California 07/28/11 patch.com: by Julianna Crisalli – Several coyote attacks in Laguna Woods have prompted the City Council to hold a special meeting Thursday afternoon to consider modifying the city’s firearms-discharge law to allow a private contractor to be hired to shoot the coyotes.  “We have a coyote problem as everybody knows, and we’ve had a problem for a number of years, but this year that situation has escalated to the point where we’re seeing hostile, desensitized coyotes that are no longer afraid of humans,” City Manager Leslie Keane said. Two small dogs were killed in the recent Laguna Woods attacks. The owner of one of the dogs was injured Tuesday morning from being dragged holding onto her Yorkie’s leash as the coyote grabbed the dog. (For complete article go to http://alisoviejo.patch.com/articles/coyotes-could-become-gun-targets-in-laguna-woods-aliso-viejo-keeps-its-hands-off-for-now )

Massachusetts 07/27/11 eagletribune.com: by Jonathan Phelps – The town’s (Andover) deer management program, which aims to control the deer population by allowing regulated bow hunting on portions of town land, will continue for a second year. Selectmen and the Conservation Commission have voted to extend the program, which started last fall. The program will run Oct. 17 through Dec. 31, coinciding with the state’s hunting season. The purpose of the program is to reduce the overpopulation of deer and the problems associated with it, including the effects of over-browsing by deer to the ecosystem and biodiversity, increasing cases of Lyme disease and the number of deer-related car crashes. Selectmen voted unanimously Monday night to make the program permanent, while the Conservation Commission voted 5-1 at a previous meeting to monitor the program on a year-by-year basis, according the Conservation Commission Chairman Don Cooper.  With selectmen voting to make the program permanent, it essentially gives the Conservation Commission the responsibility of regulating the hunts, selectmen Chairman Brian Major said. Both boards have policies addressing hunting on town land. Last year’s pilot program allowed 25 town residents to bow hunt on portions of town conservation land, including the Bald Hill/Wood Hill and Fish Brook North reservations and land surrounding Haggetts Pond. Under the pilot, applicants had to have a valid hunting license, hunt from tree stands and pass an archery accuracy test.

West Virginia 07/28/11 lincolnjournalinc.com: by Sean O’Donoghue – There have been at least two accounts of a mountain lion being spotted in the West Hamlin area of Lincoln County in recent weeks; and, in one instance, a family pet was attacked by the large feline, leaving the dog with a number of wounds. Anyone spotting the mountain lion can call the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources at 304-675-0871.

District of Columbia 07/26/11 dc.gov: Press Release – The District of Columbia Department of Health (DOH) announced today that it has positively identified the West Nile Virus in mosquito samples in the District. Residents should take caution as mosquitoes have the potential to transmit West Nile Virus (WNV) to humans, and it is important for residents to take the necessary steps to avoid contracting the virus. For more information about this topic, please visit doh.dc.gov; www.cdc.gov, or call the WNV Call Center at (202) 535-2323.

Massachusetts 07/28/11 patch.com: by Grahame Turner – On July 28, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) raised the West Nile Virus (WNV) alert level in Boston and Brookline to moderate from low, due to the finding of multiple batches of WNV positive mosquitoes in Boston near the Brookline line. On July 15, 2011, MDPH confirmed the presence of WNV in mosquitoes collected in South Brookline near the Jamaica Plain line. With that report, we concluded that the virus was present in mosquitoes throughout the Town.

Pennsylvania 07/28/11 newsworks.org: by Shannon McDonald – Traps placed around Chester County have yielded West Nile Virus-carrying mosquitoes in three municipalities. West Chester, Parkesburg and Tredyffin are being monitored by the Health Department in light of the discovery, the West Chester Daily Local reports, though officials say the chances of contracting West Nile from a mosquito are small.

New Mexico 07/27/11 kasa.com: Nine people who had contact with a pet dog are getting rabies shots after the animal tested positive for the disease. The dog began showing signs of rabies last week after being attacked by a skunk early in July, the New Mexico Department of Health reported Wednesday. The dog died at a veterinary hospital, and a second pet dog also bitten by the skunk will be destroyed, the DOH said. Neither dog had been vaccinated against rabies.

North Carolina 07/27/11 newsobserver.com: Two people were bit by a fox near Crabtree Valley Mall this week, and in at least one case the fox had rabies, according to Raleigh police. A 90-year-old woman and her dog as well as a 48-year-old woman were bitten by a fox in a residential neighborhood, police said. In one case, the fox was captured and tested positive for rabies. The bites took place on Brookhaven Drive and on Wildwood Street, near the intersection of Creedmoor Road and Glenwood Avenue. To report animal bites or animals that are behaving unusually, city residents should call Raleigh Animal Control at 831-6311.

Travel Warnings:

The Bahamas 07/28/11 tribune242.com: by Ava Turnquest – Private medical facilities in Nassau have become “inundated” with suspected cases of dengue fever as the number of confirmed cases continues to climb. Doctor’s Hospital CEO Charles Sealey denied reports that the hospital had reached maximum bed occupancy yesterday; however he admitted that the facility’s emergency room had received “a lot” of persons with dengue symptoms. Tribune sources within the private hospital maintain that all beds were filled last night as staff struggled with overwhelming numbers of suspected cases. For more information contact the surveillance Unit at the Department of Public Health at 502-4790 or 502-4776. (For complete article go to http://www.tribune242.com/news/07282011_DENGUE_pg1 )