Wildlife Damage Management, Internet Center for
Title
Managing Wolf Depredation in the United States: Past, Present, and Future
Document Type
Article
Date of this Version
January 2004
Abstract
With the successful recolonization
and reintroduction of wolves (Canis
lupus) in parts of the western United
States (Bangs and Fritts, 1996; Bangs et
al., 1998) and the natural expansion of
wolves in the upper Midwest (Fuller et
al., 1992; Thiel, 2001), managing conflicts
between wolves and livestock is a
growing issue for livestock producers,
resource professionals, and the general
public (Mech, 1996). Unlike the coyote,
(Canis latrans) where a great deal is
known regarding the biology and ecology
of depredation and methods for
managing it (Knowlton et al., 1999),
very little is known regarding patterns
and processes of wolves preying on livestock
and effective ways to mitigate this
conflict. Understanding the ramifications
of growing wolf populations for
livestock production and successfully
managing these problems will require
knowledge of depredation patterns,
wolf ecology, livestock husbandry, and
the effectiveness of different tools and
techniques to manage wolves. As wolf
populations expand into more agricultural
areas (Mech et al., 2000) such
knowledge will become increasingly
important.
Here historic records were compared
to current data on wolf depredation
rates and wolf management techniques
relative to the wolf’s status on the
endangered species list. The objectives
were to synthesize the history of wolf
depredation and management, present
current data of wolf impacts on livestock,
and speculate on the future management
of wolves so that producers can
consider the ramifications of a growing
wolf population and possible mechanisms
for decreasing the threat.
Download
Comments
Published in Sheep & Goat Research Journal volume 19 (2004), pp. 41-46.