Idaho Mountain Express: Mountain lion kills 2 alpacas

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Friday, October 30, 2009

Mountain lion kills 2 alpacas

Ranch manager declines offer to kill predator

By TONY EVANS
Express Staff Writer

Ranch manager Steve Champion is lamenting the loss of two baby alpacas to a mountain lion this week, but is happy that these alpacas went unscathed.

Two baby alpacas were taken from an outdoor pen and killed by a mountain lion Wednesday night at a ranch north of Hailey.

The ranch manager said he has no plans to seek help from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game to kill, trap or relocate the cat.

"We are just sick about it," said Steve Champion, manager at John Chapman's Cloverley Ranch two miles north of Hailey. "But it's important that these predators are out there."

Champion discovered the 1-month-old alpacas missing Thursday morning from a small fenced enclosure and contacted their owner, Terry Basolo. The two men followed a blood trail about 100 yards along a fence and found one partially eaten alpaca buried under a pile of leaves.

"It's definitely a cat," said Idaho Department of Fish and Game officer Lee Garwood, who examined the scene and went deeper into the brush in search of the other alpaca.

Garwood said mountain lions attack livestock and other domestic animals along the Big Wood River on a regular basis. He said a Labrador retriever was killed near the Cloverley Ranch two years ago.

Six years ago, a large mountain lion that had taken up residence in a slash pile behind China Gardens subdivision in east Hailey was trapped by Fish and Game officers and released to a wildlife refuge.

"There are always one or two mountain lions living and hunting along the river," Garwood said.

During the Christmas holidays seven years ago, a large mountain lion killed a llama on Broadford Road beside property belonging to Bill Evans. The cat was photographed over the course of several days as it fed on the carcass.

"Eventually it just wandered back into the hills," Evans said.

Garwood told Champion on Thursday that he could call on Fish and Game officials to kill or trap the mountain lion since it had killed livestock on private property. However, Champion declined the offer, saying, "If one gets trapped or killed, another one will just come take its place."

After feeding some oats to the half dozen remaining alpacas, he added, "They are definitely going in the barn tonight."

Tony Evans: tevans@mtexpress.com

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There are 26 comments

The comments below are from the readers of mtexpress.com and in no way represent the views of Express Publishing Inc.

Itsallaboutmoney

11/03/09 - 10:32

I understand the market for alpacas is down. Two less to feed the long winter here, the rancher comes out ahead.

mario

11/02/09 - 21:13

The mountain lion is in its natural environment, but what about man? The eco movement has made humans as mere spectators. Humans are also part of the natural balance of things. Looking mawkishly at wildlife as if they are lawn furniture is not going to help them. There is a food chain, and humans need to reassert themselves in it for both man and beast.

Cash

11/02/09 - 15:15

I can see everyone's point about a preditor in its natural enviroment. But, what economic importance does an alpaca have in Idaho? Compared to Cattle or sheep, there is none. I have lived in Idaho my whole life and have had animals killed by natural preditors, its part of living here. If you do not like the outcome, move back to where you came from.

mcdrummond

11/01/09 - 19:52

if it was a wolf then kill it but a cat oh thats ok he is just hunting its his nature double standards!!!!!!

mcdrummond

11/01/09 - 19:51

if it was a wolf then kill it but a cat oh thats ok he is just hunting its his nature double standards!!!!!!

mcdrummond

11/01/09 - 19:51

if it was a wolf then kill it but a cat oh thats ok he is just hunting its his nature double standards!!!!!!

wolflover

11/01/09 - 14:29

Good to see that some ranchers understand the nature of a predator. Thank you and I hope you guys can do the same for wolves!

Kat

10/31/09 - 06:51

If you decide to protect your herd with livestock protection dogs, please get more than one. Although it can be a deterrant, one dog is no match for a big cat. I commend you for taking responsibility for this. We who own and manage livestock have to be proactive in protecting them. Proper fencing, locking them in a shelter at night and providing a suitable guard system (not a single LGD or a llama when the predators are so formidable) are some of the ways to do this. Killing a predator after the fact is no subsitute for good management.

Mike S

10/30/09 - 22:12

Paul: "These animals need to be removed from our forest."

No, actually they don't. If people don't want to worry about wildlife they shouldn't live near it. If you moved to the middle of Boise you wouldn't have to worry about mountain lions would you? Every time I check this site I see so many comments written by people that complain about the wildlife in the area. Why do you live there? Look at where you live. Very small towns in the mountains. What do you expect? Do you honestly expect wildlife to stay out of your yard? That's just silly.

I really appreciate the people that support the owner for not going after the cat. Shows a lot of common sense.

Reply to Mike S

not a whimp

11/01/09 - 05:38

amen mike, what a bunch of pussssies. they act so big with their guns but they are wimps

Reply to Mike S

wolflover

11/01/09 - 11:50

It's good to know that some people don't complain. You don't like where you live near wildlife? move away. we won't miss you....

Reply to Mike S

Paul

11/02/09 - 21:45

Mike I have this to say to you. Mountain lions will move to the middle of the city when they run out food. Just ask the folks around Denver. So yes they do need to be removed before they start eating children for dinner. And a fence around this guys animals will not stop a mountain lion. It might a wolf. A lion will go over the top. And it requires atleast one kill per week to survive. And two kills per week if it has kittens. So as soon as you animal lovers wolves and cats eat all the deer and elk. You better watch your back yard. You will pay the price for you stupid don't hurt the kitty

puppetmaster – Idaho

10/30/09 - 20:06

Hey I know! Why not teach those cats how much better wolves taste. Both problems solved.

Rachelle

10/30/09 - 16:33

While I certainly admire your decision not to trap and relocate, and I mourn the loss of your crias, I wonder, are you going to strengthen your fences? Get an LGD? Or anything?
Because once a cat has a free meal, just like coyotes- it wil be back.
Best wishes,
An alpaca owner since 1999

Rachelle

10/30/09 - 16:30

lol

10/30/09 - 16:29

Playing with reintroductions is also human domination, either way man still says I'm a god..

Reply to lol

Chuck

10/31/09 - 10:45

when was there any reintroduction- with this story ? I don't think man thinks he or she is a god to manage wildlife.

jerryb

10/30/09 - 13:27

Mr. Champion,I admire the courage you've shown in the face of the ridicule I'm sure you'll take from ranchers in your area.
Killing doesn't solve anything and sends a bad message to kids and others that just because we're humans, we can do whatever we want. You saved another sentient creature who is only doing his best to survive in a human dominated, arrogant world.
Thankyou

debbie

10/30/09 - 12:56

i guess all the elk that were being fed in that neighborhood finally got killed on the highway. baby livestock need to be inside. thank you cloverly for taking some responsibility instead of the redneck way.

Reply to debbie

Paul

10/30/09 - 21:17

You are to funny. Killed on the road my butt. Atleast a redneck has common sense. Something you animal right people don't have. If it had of been your child the cat eat. Your sweet little reply would have been different. You people can't see one day down the road in front of you. These animal will start to move into your back yard before long. That why the old timers kept them killed off. When these cats and wolves start snatching your cute little poddle off the back deck. You will start to see what your fore father already knew. These animals need to be removed from our forest.

Reply to debbie

wolflover

11/01/09 - 10:35

Now it's our forest? I would say it is nature's paul, learn some ecology.

lol

10/30/09 - 11:59

I guess the kitty can't find no elk or deer to live on, geeeeee I wonder why.. Could it be to many canines on a rampage for far to long.. YES IT IS...

Reply to lol

The Voice of Reason

10/30/09 - 12:09

No. No it isn't.

Chri – United States

10/30/09 - 11:37

I'm sorry, the cat would of been gone.

Marc Cooke

10/30/09 - 09:06

I cant believe my eyes. "Partially eaten". "Important predators are out there".
No wildlife Services called in to kill all the wolves within three thousand miles. Oh, I forgot this is not about wolfs but about cats instead.
I dont want to see this cat hunted down and become another "Human caused mortality". But had this been a wolf Gillet and his self serving posse would be on their soap boxes and ranting about how wolves should be killed. I am sure that if the wolf haters can put a negetive wolf spin on this they will.
I wish thank the Cloverly Ranch for the decision that was made, but have to wonder would that same decision been made had it been a wolve?

Reply to Marc Cooke

(blank)

11/01/09 - 19:54

What the hell is a "wolve?"