Physical Address
357 Agency Rd,
Lapwai, ID 83540
Did you know Idaho and Montana are the only two states with a bounty for killing wolves? The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) plans to eliminate 60% of the wolves in Idaho to regulate their population and attacks on livestock. However, these carnivores are self-regulating, meaning they naturally limit their own numbers, according to the dynamic of their pack. Furthermore, with wolves only accounting for a small percentage of causes of livestock deaths per year (weather events, injury and sickness being the most common causes of death for livestock), what’s the point of villainizing and punishing them?
To the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce People), himiin (wolves) are significant to their culture, land, and spirituality. Therefore, the Nez Perce Wildlife Division (NPT-WD) is planning to protect and manage them. Raquel Domebo and Isias Johnson are Himiin Interns at the NPT-WD for the summer, and possibly longer. Alma “Rosie” Sanchez, their supervisor, is conducting research and collecting data to prove that the NPT-WD is capable and ready to manage wolves once again. To beat the summer heat, the Himiin Interns start their field work before 6:00 am. For the past week, they’ve been installing trail cameras across tribal allotments, hoping to capture footage of wolves. The cameras are strategically placed around a wolf’s habitat or hunting ground. Before camera placement, for example, they look for animal dens, scat, hair, game trails, and a potential rendezvous with wolf pups. Then, they will place the camera, tilted downwards, on a post or a tree. The cameras are secured and built to last in protective cases and secured with locks.The cameras will ultimately be collected and used for data at the end of the study period
As for Raquel and Isias, this internship has become an eye-opening experience. They’ve enjoyed their duties, gathering research, hiking, and seeing more of the Nez Perce country. In the future, they both hope to make a similar or different contribution to the Nez Perce Tribe.
To Raquel, wolf management is important to take over because you don’t know what the State will try to manage next. Salmon? Elk? She stated, “Himiin aren’t just animals, they’re our relatives.”
Isias brought up the Nez Perce creation story where the animal people, such as Salmon and Elk, sacrificed their lives and gave up their voices for the human beings to come. He expressed, “We must speak for those who can’t. It all ties into being Nez Perce and protecting not only wildlife, but our Treaty Rights and Sovereignty as well.”
Rosie is very thankful for the company and help of her interns. She’s going to miss them after the summer ends, but hopefully they can work with her again. She’s always been drawn to animals because they were her first friends, so she got her B.S. in Fisheries & Wildlife. Now, with the same affection for wildlife, she’s a PhD student working with the NPT-WD.
Qe’ci’yew’yew,
Rosie, Raquel, and Isias for speaking up for the animal relatives who can’t.
To learn more about the NPT-WD and Wolf Recovery Visit:
https://nezpercewildlife.org/gray-wolf
