ranchers

Wildlife managers in south-central Montana report that conflicts between bears and people have reached levels never seen before in the region. The rise in encounters is drawing attention to how residents, ranchers and landowners cope with bears moving into populated areas, and wildlife authorities are expected to respond with increased management efforts.

The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission has moved to draft a formal predator management policy, directing staff to develop guidelines for managing predators such as wolves, mountain lions and bears. The step begins a public process to define how the state balances predator populations with hunting interests, livestock concerns and conservation goals. Specifics of the draft policy and its proposed measures have not yet been detailed.

A wild screwworm fly has been found in Texas, the first detection there since the current outbreak began. The parasitic fly, whose larvae infest the wounds of warm-blooded animals, poses a serious threat to livestock and wildlife. The discovery will raise concern among ranchers and agricultural officials monitoring the pest's northward spread from Mexico.