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USDA Wildlife Services outlines animal conflict, disease surveillance and Mexican gray wolf work in Greenlee County
Summary
Federal Wildlife Services staff briefed the Greenlee County Board of Supervisors on predator depredation response, rabies and feral swine surveillance, and nonlethal tools used on the Mexican gray wolf project; staff encouraged residents to report wildlife exposures and use county animal-control channels for testing.
The Greenlee County Board of Supervisors heard an overview from USDA Wildlife Services on the agency’s local work, including depredation investigations, rabies testing, feral swine surveillance and assistance on the Mexican gray wolf project.
The presentation, given by Christopher Carrillo, supervisory wildlife biologist, and Sterling Simpson, wildlife specialist, described services that range from technical advice to direct control of problem animals and disease sampling. “Our mission is to provide federal expertise to resolve wildlife-human conflicts,” Carrillo told the board.
Carrillo said Wildlife Services provides livestock protection advice and on‑site response for situations ranging from javelina, bears and mountain lions to coyotes and problematic waterfowl. He described an in‑house testing program used to screen wildlife for rabies, plague and other diseases, and said the program conducts about 400 wildlife tests annually across the state as part of enhanced surveillance.
The presenters emphasized rabies risks to humans and the free testing option for animals the county submits. “If you do get reports of people being bit by wildlife, contact the health department immediately,” Carrillo said, noting post‑exposure treatment is effective when administered promptly.
Carrillo summarized the county’s role in the Mexican gray wolf program: Wildlife Services conducts depredation investigations, deploys nonlethal deterrents such as fladry and lights, and implements removal orders issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service when necessary. He said the agency also supports ranchers with evacuation‑route and access considerations during wildfire seasons.
The presentation described active African swine fever surveillance near the U.S.–Mexico border and a regional program to detect and remove feral swine before they become established; Carrillo said the most likely corridors in Arizona are riparian drainages such as the Gila and San Francisco rivers.
Board members asked how residents should report exposed or sick wildlife; Carrillo advised contacting the county animal control or the health department and noted Wildlife Services will pick up frozen specimens from county animal control for no‑cost testing.
The briefing closed with supervisors thanking the USDA staff for an overview of services and contact information for residents and livestock producers seeking assistance.
The presentation was informational; the board did not take formal action on the briefing.
