Wildlife Damage Management, Internet Center for
Date of this Version
October 2002
Abstract
Extreme weather, treacherous terrain, and disease claim the lives of countless livestock each year, but just as fearsome is the threat posed by predators, such as coyotes, cougars, wolves, and bears. Despite producers’ best efforts to protect their livestock, hundreds of thousands of sheep, cattle, and goats fall victim to predators each year. In fact, predators cause some of the most significant losses to the sheep industry nationwide. Livestock losses attributed to predators cost U.S. ranchers and producers more than $71 million annually, according to statistics compiled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). When their losses become too great, producers turn to Wildlife Services (WS), a program within the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), for assistance. WS has the Federal authority, expertise, and research capability to resolve wildlife conflicts and help manage damage. This assistance can prevent predation and preserve the livelihood of farmers and ranchers across the Nation.