Wolves and Livestock

 Along with natural prey such as elk, deer, and moose, wolves have also been known to kill cattle, sheep, and other livestock.Many people first point to the wolf when livestock losses occur. Let’s face it…blaming something makes us feel better, but this is more often another example of the wolf being targeted as a scapegoat and people not focusing on the right quandary. This will not solve any issues, for wolves, livestock, nor ranchers.

For decades, if not centuries, public and government have been killing wolves and other predators to protect livestock. For example, the U.S. government was practicing lethal control on coyotes for 80 years in an effort to increase sheep production, only to realize that this had no effect on the sheep industry! (2) The real culprits were increasing production costs and decreasing product prices.

In 2002, the BC Wild Predator Loss Control and Compensation Program was initiated, with compensation funds coming from the Ministry of Agriculture and lands. Under this program, ranchers are compensated for 75% of the value of an animal lost. In the Northwestern USA, compensation programs have been in effect for 20 years. These mitigation efforts are to minimize the chances of ranchers taking things into their own hands by shooting predators on their property that they view as a possible threat.

 Look at the facts

 -2008/2009: Throughout all of British Columbia there were only 70 verified livestock losses due to wolves.(1)

-2005 research done in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming indicated that LESS THAN 3% of all livestock mortality was due to wolves, grizzly bears, and black bears COMBINED! (2)

Total livestock losses due to non-predators was at least 89%, with respiratory and digestive problems contributing the most (between 8 – 32%), (2).

This study points out that total cattle losses due to wolf depredation in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming (AKA ranchland) are minor when compared to other causes of death, (2).

Misperceptions

Misperception #1: Wolves cost the livestock industry too much.

Fact: there are only a few losses each year which has minimal effects on the industry. However, to an individual rancher losing even a few animals seem like a lot. This leaves an angry impression which is often exaggerated and this is the voice that gets heard.

If your ranch is within the territory of a wolf pack and there are no problems, ranchers are advised to LEAVE THE PACK ALONE; they may be protecting livestock from wolves that are more prone to go after livestock (1).

Misperception #2: Wolves kill for fun and in excess of what they can consume, often referred to as "surplus killing" .

Fact: Surplus killing is considered uncommon in the wild, however a few documented cases do exists (3).

Wolves may not return to a carcass once it is disturbed by humans, leading to the thought that excessive killing is occurring when it would not have (1,2). This could also lead to wolves killing another animal to replace the food source they have just lost (1).

The number of wolves feeding on an animal may not be able to consume the entire amount (1). In the wild, any leftovers would provide for scavengers and contribute to biodiversity.

Surplus killing does occasionally exist among sheep in the Northwestern US, but has not been documented in cattle. (2)

Livestock and domestics display poor anti-predator behaviour, which are reactions recognized in nature to deter predator advances (2). Sheep especially have prey traits that make them more vulnerable to predators (2).

It is important for wolf conservationists to acknowledge that some livestock depredation is caused by wolves each year, although minimal. Livestock production and wolf habitat often overlaps, and where they do, there will occasionally be losses. It is valuable to recognize both sides of the story, and by investigating concerns we can discover the facts.

 References:

1. MacKay, Andy. (2005). " Mitigating Cattle Losses Caused by Wild Predators in British Columbia, A Field Guide for Ranchers". Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, [

2. Muhly, T.B., Musiani, M., (2009). Livestock depredation by wolves and the ranching economy in the Northwestern U.S., Ecological Economics, doi: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2009.04.008.

3. www.wolftrust.org.uk/a-d7-depredation-surplus.html  

      British Columbia 

News release about funding for ranchers in BC to prevent livestock losses and protect predators:

http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2009-2013/2009AL0007-000191.htm

For more information on the Ranching Task Force visit: www.ranchingtaskforce.gov.bc.ca BC Cattlemen’s Association Wild Predator Loss & Compensation Program www.cattlemen.bc.ca/wplccp.htm

BC losses: 2008/09 total compensation paid out = $ 33,440.00 on 98 verified losses due to: grizzly 2%,  coyote 14%, black bear 12%, cougar 1%, wolf 71% of the number of animals lost (BC Cattlemans Assoc, personal communication). This equates to 70 losses caused by wolves for the entire year.

                            Ontario

Payments are made to Ontario’s farmers under 3 Wildlife Damage Programs administered by the Farm Finance Branch of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)

Visit www.ontariosheep.org/PREDATOR.html for perspectives, prevention and compensation programs in Ontario. Note that coyotes, wolves, and dogs are all grouped into one category for losses, and there are no stats indicating changes in livestock numbers or values over the years.

Also see: www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/sheep/predator.html

www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90l24_e.htm for Ontario’s Livestock, Poultry and Honeybee protection act.

GREAT RESOURCE!!!!                           

This publication is part of Defenders' of Wildlife comprehensive program and is their guide to non-lethal tools and methods to reduce conflicts: www.defenders.org/resources/publications/programs_and_policy/wildlife_conservation/solutions/livestock_and_wolves.pdf 

Best guide to prevent livestock losses through addressing the root causes. The above PDF provides methods and examples of various predator-friendly approaches to guarding livestock, and discusses the limitations as well as benefits of different methods. Co-existence can be achieved; by protecting livestock as well as wolves and other predators from unnecessary deaths.

More information and links at www.defenders.org/programs_and_policy/wildlife_conservation/solutions/coexisting_with_carnivores/on_your_ranch/index.php

In the U.S.A. to date, with the help of members and sponsors, Defenders of Wildlife has invested more than US$2 million to compensate ranchers and reduce predation of livestock by wild predators.

Defenders has also helped reduce tension between Canadian ranchers and wolves. www.defenders.org/programs_and_policy/wildlife_conservation/imperiled_species/wolves/wolf_recovery_efforts/canada_wolves/in_the_field.php 

Information from Defenders of Wildlife providing fast facts about the real causes of livestock losses, and how they compare to wolf predation…putting things into perspective! www.defenders.org/programs_and_policy/wildlife_conservation/solutions/wolf_compensation_trust/index.php To learn about specific projects by Defenders’ involving livestock and wolves and the Proactive Carnivore Conservation Fund they have set up: www.defenders.org/programs_and_policy/wildlife_conservation/solutions/carnivore_conservation_fund/index.php

More great facts and resources found at www.northernlightswildlife.com/