REXBURG — The Japanese yew plant has proved fatal to a mule deer fawn in East Idaho.
Idaho Fish and Game reports that Conservation Officer Andrew Sorensen responded to a call recently about a dead fawn outside of Rexburg.
“The fawn belonged to a group of about 25 mule deer that hang out on the south end of town every winter. Upon investigation, Sorensen determined that the young fawn had ingested a large amount of Japanese yew and died of yew toxicity,” the agency said in a news release.
According to Fish and Game, Japanese yew is not native to the region, but it’s often used as an ornamental plant for landscaping. Local nurseries sell the plant, and it’s popular with homeowners because the plant stays green and lush through the year.
In the past, Fish and Game has reported that it’s not unusual for hungry wildlife like moose and deer to head to communities where there are a lot of green plants that looks like food.
Japanese yew is highly toxic when ingested by domestic livestock or by wildlife such as deer, elk, pronghorn and moose, according to Fish and Game.
“Eating only a few ounces of the plant may result in the death of the animal,” according to Fish and Game.
Sorensen reported that this was the first year he’s seen wildlife die from eating Japanese yew.
“I hope it does not become a pattern,” he said.
Fish and Game reported that the plant has killed several animals in recent years.
Sorensen said that a moose calf died from eating the plant in the same place last year as the deer died recently.
Fish and Game encourages homeowners who live in rural areas adjacent to communities like Rexburg to consider using a different plant for landscaping and to replace their Japanese yew plants.
Anything a homeowner can do to prevent animals from gaining access to the plant is helpful, according to Fish and Game.
For more information on reducing risk to wildlife visit https://idfg.idaho.gov/conservation/yew/paper.
