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Wildlife board approves targeted sage‑grouse translocations to fill vacant habitat
Summary
The board approved DWR proposals to move sage‑grouse from areas with strong populations into vacant but suitable habitat in places including Tidwell Slopes, Tabby Mountain and Browns Park to bolster populations and occupancy.
The Utah Wildlife Board voted June 12 to approve a Division of Wildlife Resources plan to translocate sage‑grouse from areas with robust populations to vacant but high‑quality habitat in other parts of the state.
Kobe (DWR) summarized the plan: take birds from Blue Mountain, Diamond Mountain and Parker areas and release them at Tidwell Slopes, Tabby Mountain and Browns Park to occupy vacant sagebrush habitat. Staff explained release locations were selected to be far enough from capture sites that translocated birds would be less likely to return home. The board heard that the species is not federally listed; past evaluations found listing “warranted but precluded” and later not warranted because conservation actions were under way.
The plan received unanimous RAC support and the board approved translocation as presented. Board members praised staff work and partnerships, and the division said monitoring will continue after releases.
