Residents across Bonneville County and the broader eastern Idaho region are being urged to exercise caution around local wildlife after Idaho Fish and Game confirmed distemper in raccoons near Pocatello and Chubbuck, while also issuing updated guidance on handling bat encounters throughout the state.
Distemper Spreading Among Raccoon Population
Wildlife officials spent roughly three weeks responding to a surge of reports involving sick raccoons in southeast Idaho before confirming the presence of canine distemper — a contagious viral illness that affects raccoons, foxes, skunks, and other wildlife. The disease is not transmissible to humans, but it poses a serious risk to dogs and other domestic animals that have not been vaccinated.
Sick raccoons displaying the illness often appear disoriented, lethargic, or unusually visible during daylight hours — behaviors that can be mistaken for aggression or injury. Residents who spot animals acting this way are strongly advised not to approach or attempt to handle them, regardless of how helpless the animal may appear.
Idaho Fish and Game officials stressed that well-meaning intervention can put both people and pets at risk. A raccoon that seems injured or confused may still scratch or bite when approached, and contact with an infected animal can transmit illness to unvaccinated pets. Keeping dogs and cats current on their vaccinations is one of the most straightforward steps families can take to protect their animals from wildlife-borne illness.
Residents who encounter a sick or injured raccoon should contact the Idaho Fish and Game Southeast Region office at 208-232-4703 rather than intervening on their own. Officials can assess the situation and determine the appropriate course of action.
Bat Activity Also Elevated Across Eastern Idaho
Alongside the raccoon advisory, Fish and Game is reminding residents that bats are widespread across Idaho — particularly in areas near rivers, ponds, reservoirs, forests, and farmland. East Idaho’s mix of agricultural terrain, waterways like the Snake River, and wooded areas near communities such as Idaho Falls, Ammon, and Iona make the region a natural habitat for several bat species.
While bats found hanging outdoors on trees, walls, or shrubs should simply be left alone, bats that find their way inside a home require more careful attention. Officials recommend using heavy gloves and a container with a piece of cardboard to safely capture and release an indoor bat — a method that avoids direct contact while allowing the animal to be released unharmed.
The critical concern with bat encounters is rabies. Any person who has been bitten or scratched by a bat — or who woke up to find a bat in a room where they were sleeping — should contact a healthcare provider or their local public health district promptly. Bat bites can be small and difficult to detect, making it important not to dismiss potential exposures.
For bats roosting in attics, garages, or outbuildings, Fish and Game advises against taking independent action. Instead, residents should call their local Fish and Game office for guidance on humane and lawful removal options. Bats are a protected species in Idaho due to their ecological role in controlling insect populations, so removal must be handled appropriately.
Public safety officials across eastern Idaho, including those managing ambulance and emergency response services that have faced growing strain from the region’s population growth, have broadly echoed the message that preventive awareness is far less costly — medically and financially — than treating a preventable illness after the fact.
What Comes Next
Idaho Fish and Game is expected to continue monitoring raccoon populations in southeast Idaho for signs of further distemper spread. Residents throughout Bonneville County should remain alert to unusual wildlife behavior, especially as summer heat pushes animals to seek water sources closer to neighborhoods and populated areas.
Anyone with questions or concerns about sick wildlife or bat encounters is encouraged to reach out to the Idaho Fish and Game Southeast Region office at 208-232-4703. Keeping pets vaccinated, securing garbage, and avoiding direct contact with wild animals remain the most effective ways for families to stay safe throughout the summer season.