2001
Depredation Data
2002 Depredation Data
January | February | March
| April
May | June | July
| August
September | October | November
| December
Summary of data
Two complaints allegedly involving
wolves and livestock were received during the month. One complaint
was verified as wolf damage and one involved harassment (chasing)
of livestock by wolves. WS personnel confirmed that wolves killed
1 lamb, but no control action was taken at the farm. Three wolves
were captured and killed at a farm where trapping was continued
from last month.
To date in 2002, 97 complaints of wolf
depredation on livestock or poultry have been verified at 85 farms
and 155 wolves have been captured (138 killed) in response to the
depredations. In comparison, 53 complaints were verified at 47 farms
and 106 wolves captured (103 killed) to this date in 2001. Eight
wolves have also been captured and killed in 2002 in response to
wolf depredations on domestic dogs. A rural Fourtown resident reported
that two wolves came into the yard and harassed their German shepherd
dog. No damage occurred and no action was taken.
Thirteen complaints allegedly involving
wolves and livestock were received during the month. Six of the
complaints were verified as wolf damage, 2 were coyote damage, 2
involved missing livestock, 1 involved damage threat by wolves to
livestock, 1 carcass was too old to make a determination, and 1
involved natural mortality/scavenging of livestock. Verified losses
to wolves were 1 cow, 4 calves, and 3 sheep killed. Traps were set
at 7 farms and 1 wolf was captured and killed. Trapping is still
ongoing at 2 farms.
An alleged wolf attack on a human was
reported by an individual building a deer stand in the Silica area
southwest of Hibbing. The man was working on a deer stand when he
looked up to see a wolf 20 feet away snarling and baring its teeth
at him. The wolf kept coming towards him, so the man turned and
ran. The man's 8-month-old black lab pup entered the scene and was
killed by the wolf. A short time later, the man said that he encountered
two 16-17 year old boys in the same area who reported that they
had also been approached by the wolf. WS personnel were unable to
document that a wolf was involved in the incident.
Four complaints of wolves attacking
domestic dogs or coming around residences were reported. WS verified
1 dog killed at a rural residence north of Duluth. Traps were set
at the residence but no wolves were captured.
HIGHLIGHTS
Wolf-livestock conflicts are winding
down in Minnesota with the arrival of unusually cold October weather
which has prompted livestock producers to begin moving their animals
closer to farm buildings. To date in 2002, 96 complaints of wolf
depredation on livestock or poultry have been verified at 85 farms
and 152 wolves have been captured (135 killed) in response to the
depredations. In comparison, 53 complaints were verified at 47 farms
and 106 wolves captured (103 killed) to this date in 2001. Eight
wolves have also been captured and killed in 2002 in response to
wolf depredations on domestic dogs.
Nineteen complaints allegedly involving
wolves and livestock were received during the month. Twelve of the
complaints were verified as wolf damage, 1 was bear damage, 1 was
dog damage, 1 involved damage threat by wolves to livestock, 2 involved
missing livestock, and 2 involved natural mortality of livestock.
Verified losses to wolves were 1 cow, 7 calves, 11 sheep, and 1
horse killed. Traps were set at 9 farms and a total of 8 wolves
were captured and killed at 3 of the farms. In addition, 10 wolves
were captured and killed at 2 farms where trapping was continued
from last month. Trapping is still ongoing at 2 farms.
To date in 2002, 90 complaints of wolf
depredation on livestock or poultry have been verified at 80 farms
and 151 wolves have been captured (134 killed) in response to the
depredations. In comparison, 49 complaints were verified at 45 farms
and 95 wolves captured (92 killed) to this date in 2001. Eight wolves
have also been captured and killed in 2002 in response to wolf depredations
on domestic dogs.
Thirteen complaints allegedly involving
wolves and livestock or poultry were received during the month.
Eleven of the complaints were verified as wolf damage and 2 involved
missing livestock. Verified losses to wolves were 1 cow, 1 yearling,
7 calves, and 2 sheep killed; 1 cow wounded. Traps were set at 9
farms and a total of 16 wolves were captured and killed at 5 of
the farms. In addition, 16 wolves were captured and killed at 7
farms where trapping was continued from last month. Trapping is
still ongoing at 2 farms.
To date in 2002, 78 complaints of wolf
depredation on livestock or poultry have been verified at 71 farms
and 134 wolves have been captured (117 killed) in response to the
depredations. In comparison, 41 complaints were verified at 38 farms
and 83 wolves captured (80 killed) to this date in 2001. Eight wolves
have also been captured and killed in 2002 in response to wolf depredations
on domestic dogs.
HIGHLIGHTS
Due to budget constraints, Minnesota
WS' wolf depredation control activities were on the verge of shutting
down at the end of the month, but Minnesota congressional lawmakers
acted at the last minute to find emergency funding. U.S. Representatives
Jim Oberstar and Collin Peterson intervened and convinced USDA officials
to provide an additional $20,000 to the Minnesota wolf control program
to cover August and September program expenditures, until the FY
2003 federal budget begins on October 1. The program's shutdown
would have been bad news for livestock producers who are losing
livestock to wolves or rural residents losing pets to wolves. It
also would have been bad news for wolves, with WS' wolf damage management
program removing problem wolves to prevent illegal killing of wolves
by the public.
Both the U.S. House and Senate FY 2003
Agriculture Appropriations bills include language that would provide
increased funding for wolf damage management in the Western Great
Lakes states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. The House bill
proposes an increase of $750,000 for wolf predation in Wisconsin,
Minnesota, and Michigan. The Senate bill expresses concern about
the growing number of livestock killed or injured by predators,
especially wolves, in the Western Great Lakes and Southwest regions
of the United States and proposes an increase of $1.4 million for
integrated predation management activities in Minnesota, Wisconsin,
Michigan, Arizona, and New Mexico. Of this amount, no less than
$1.2 million shall be available for activities in the Western Great
Lakes states.
PROVIDING WILDLIFE SERVICES
Thirty-five complaints allegedly involving
wolves and livestock or poultry were received during the month.
Twenty-three of the complaints were verified as wolf damage, 8 were
coyote damage, 2 involved missing livestock, 1 involved damage threat
by wolves to livestock, and 1 was undetermined. Verified losses
to wolves were 1 cow, 18 calves, 43 sheep, 1 colt, and 6 ducks killed;
1 cow and 1 calf wounded. Traps were set at 18 farms and a total
of 34 wolves were captured (24 killed) at 13 of the farms. Trapping
is still ongoing at 6 farms.
To date in 2002, 67 complaints of wolf
depredation on livestock or poultry have been verified at 60 farms
and 102 wolves have been captured (85 killed) in response to the
depredations. In comparison, 31 complaints were verified at 29 farms
and 52 wolves captured (49 killed) to this date in 2001. Eight wolves
have also been captured and killed in 2002 in response to wolf depredations
on domestic dogs.
Minnesota
Monthly Activities Report - June,
2002
EMERGING ISSUES AND TRENDS
ASD Paul mailed a letter on June 3,
2002, to cooperators and other interested parties informing them
that wolf-livestock conflicts are up sharply in 2002 and that FY
2002 funding for wolf depredation control activities is inadequate.
At the current rate of program expenditures for wolf control activities,
deficit spending is projected by the end of the fiscal year. Insufficient
funding will affect the services that WS can provide to livestock
producers for management of wolf damage during the upcoming depredation
season. The hiring of some WS seasonal wolf trappers has already
been postponed and current wolf control activities are being conducted
within budget constraints. WS personnel will only be able to provide
some level of service to livestock producers until July 31. After
that date, WS wolf depredation control activities will be severely
curtailed and response to wolf damage complaints will be minimal.
PROVIDING WILDLIFE SERVICES
Twenty-three complaints allegedly
involving wolves and livestock were received during the month. Ten
of the complaints were verified as wolf damage, 2 were coyote damage,
7 involved damage threat by wolves to livestock, 2 involved missing
livestock, and 2 were natural mortality/scavenging of livestock.
Verified losses to wolves were 11 calves and 3 sheep killed; 2 calves
wounded. Traps were set at 10 farms and a total of 15 wolves were
captured (8 killed) at 6 of the farms. In addition, 3 wolves were
captured and killed at 3 farms where trapping was continued from
last month. Trapping is still ongoing at 2 farms.
To date in 2002, 44 complaints of wolf
depredation on livestock or poultry have been verified at 39 farms
and 68 wolves have been captured (60 killed) in response to the
depredations. In comparison, 18 complaints were verified at 17 farms
and 33 wolves captured (32 killed) to this date in 2001. Eight wolves
have also been captured and killed in 2002 in response to wolf depredations
on domestic dogs.
Three complaints of wolves or coyotes
coming into people's yards and posing a threat to pets or human
safety were received. WS personnel investigated each complaint.
In two instances coyotes rather than wolves were involved. Flashing
highway lights were installed at one residence.
Twenty-three complaints allegedly involving
wolves and livestock were received during the month. Sixteen of
the complaints were verified as wolf damage, 3 were coyote damage,
3 were damage threat by wolves to livestock, and 1 involved natural
mortality of livestock. Verified losses to wolves were 18 calves
and 7 sheep killed. Traps were set at 14 farms and a total of 10
wolves were captured and killed at 7 farms. In addition, 9 wolves
were captured and killed at 4 farms where trapping was continued
from last month. Trapping is still ongoing at 11 farms.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Final EA and Decision/FONSI for
Management of Wolf-Livestock Conflicts and Control of Depredating
Wolves in the State of Minnesota was completed and signed by Acting
RD Charles Brown on April 29, 2002. Copies of the Final EA and Decision/FONSI
were provided to all parties that provided comments on the pre-decisional
EA as well as to cooperators. A Notice of Availability (NOA) was
published in the Duluth News Tribune and the Minneapolis Star Tribune
from May 1-3.
PROVIDING WILDLIFE SERVICES
Twenty-four complaints allegedly involving
wolves and livestock were received during the month. Eight of the
complaints were verified as wolf damage, 4 were coyote damage, 2
were dog damage, 1 was bear damage, and 9 involved damage threat
by wolves to livestock. Verified losses to wolves were 1 cow and
6 calves killed; 2 cows and 2 calves wounded. Traps were set at
8 farms and a total of 7 wolves were captured and killed at 3 of
the farms. In addition, 9 wolves were captured and killed at 3 farms
were trapping was continued from last month. Trapping is still ongoing
at 5 farms.
One dog was killed by wolves at a rural
residence near Emily and 1 dog was wounded at a residence north
of Bovey. The veterinarian bill to patch up the wounded dog was
$1,800.
Two reports of wolves hanging around
residences and posing a potential threat to pet and human safety
were received.
A tame wolf or wolf/dog hybrid came
into a resident's yard near Hinckley, snarled at the resident, ate
some rabbits, and chewed on a dog. The owner of the offending animal
was located and no further action was taken by WS personnel.
Another individual reported observing
four wolves chasing a deer into a machine shed on his farm. Because
of the clutter of equipment in the shed, the deer was able to escape
the wolves.
To date in 2002, 18 complaints of wolf
depredation on livestock have been verified at 17 farms and 31 wolves
have been captured and killed in response to the depredations. In
comparison, 4 complaints were verified at 4 farms and 3 wolves captured
and killed to this date in 2001. Eight wolves have also been captured
and killed in 2002 in response to wolf depredations on domestic
dogs.
HIGHLIGHTS
The 30 day public comment period for
the Pre-decisional EA for Management of Wolf-Livestock Conflicts
and Control of Depredating Wolves in the State of Minnesota closed
on March 26. The Humane Society of the United States, Defenders
of Wildlife, and the Animal Protection Institute provided a combined
total of 22 pages of comments. ASD Paul is addressing the concerns
identified by the three groups and is preparing the Decision/FONSI
for review by Eastern Region Environmental Coordinator David Reinhold
by the April 8 due date.
EMERGING ISSUES AND TRENDS
On March 21, 2002, U.S. Congressman
James Oberstar formally requested an additional $750,000 appropriation
of funds for FY2003 for the USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services agency
in the states of MN, WI, and MI to control wolf depredation on domestic
livestock and pets. At the urging of the Minnesota State Cattlemen's
Association and individual cattlemen and rural residents of northern
Minnesota, Congressman Oberstar sent a strongly worded request to
the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
for increased funding for management of the 3,200 plus wolves in
the Western Great Lakes Region. ASD Paul is working with Wisconsin
WS SD Dave Nelson and Eric Koens of the Wisconsin Cattlemen's Association
to coordinate Congressman Oberstar's $750,000 three state request
with a similar request for $1.4 million to be allocated to Wildlife
Services for the "Western Great Lakes/Southwest Wolf Initiative"
which includes WS' programs in the five states of MN, WI, MI, AZ,
and NM. Wisconsin Senator Herb Kohl has forwarded this request to
the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture.
PROVIDING WILDLIFE SERVICES
Eleven complaints allegedly involving
wolves and livestock were received during the month. Five of the
complaints were verified as wolf damage, 3 were coyote damage, 2
involved damage threat by wolves to livestock, and 1 involved natural
mortality/scavenging of livestock. Verified loses to wolves were
7 calves killed. Traps were set at 4 farms near the end of the month
but no wolves were captured.
Six wolves were captured and killed
at 2 farms where trapping was continued from last month. Trapping
is still ongoing at 4 farms. Wolves attacked and killed a dog at
a rural farm residence near Mizpah. At a rural residence near Menahga,
1 dog was killed and another dog was injured by wolves. Trapping/snaring
was conducted at the farm residence which was also a cattle operation.
Four wolves were captured and killed. Three reports of wolves coming
into people's yards were received. No damage occurred and no action
was taken by WS personnel on the complaints.
To date in 2002, 10 complaints of wolf
depredation on livestock have been verified at 9 farms and 15 wolves
have been captured and killed in response to the depredations. In
comparison, no complaints of wolf depredation on livestock were
verified to this date in 2001. Eight wolves have also been captured
and killed in 2002 in response to wolf depredations on domestic
dogs
HIGHLIGHTS
The Pre-decisional EA for Management
of Wolf-Livestock Conflicts and Control of Depredating Wolves in
the State of Minnesota was completed. After the EA was reviewed
by WS Eastern Region Environmental Coordinator David Reinhold and
OSS FOIA Liaison Noel Myers, a Notice of Availability was published
in the Duluth News Tribune and The Minneapolis Star Tribune from
February 25-27, 2002. Copies of the Pre-decisional EA were mailed
to cooperators and interested parties for review and comment. The
comment period closes on March 26, 2002.
The Spring 2002 issue of International
Wolf contained an article written by ASD Paul entitled "Releases
of Tame Wolves and Hybrids Give Wild Wolves a Black Eye." Comments
by ASD Paul were also quoted in another article in the publication
entitled "Don't Feed Wolves Say Experts" written by Kevin Strauss.
The two articles offer examples of how the new positive attitude
toward wolves can create problems for wolves.
PROVIDING WILDLIFE SERVICES
Eight complaints allegedly involving
wolves and livestock were received during the month. Four of the
complaints were verified as wolf damage, 1 was coyote damage, 1
involved missing livestock, and 2 involved damage threat by wolves
to livestock. Verified losses to wolves were 1 cow and 4 calves
killed. Traps were set at 4 farms and a total of 5 wolves were captured
and killed at 2 of the farms. In addition, 4 wolves were also captured
and killed at 1 farm where trapping was continued from last month.
Trapping is still ongoing at 4 farms.
To date in 2002, 5 complaints of wolf
depredation on livestock have been verified at 5 farms and 9 wolves
have been captured and killed in response to the depredations. In
comparison, no complaints of wolf depredation on livestock were
verified to this date in 2001. Three wolves have also been captured
and killed in 2002 in response to wolf depredations on domestic
dogs.
Two reports were received of wolves
coming into yards at residences near Bovey and Warba. No damage
occurred and no action was taken by WS personnel on the complaints.
Three wolves were captured and killed
at a farm near McGregor where a dog was killed on January 25. The
wolves were also posing a threat to livestock at the farm.
A first draft revision and update of
the 1998 EA for Management of Wolf-Livestock Conflicts and Control
of Depredating Wolves in the State of Minnesota was completed and
provided to WS Eastern Region Environmental Coordinator David Reinhold
by the January 23, 2002, time line set by the Eastern Regional Office.
Mr. Reinhold reviewed the draft and
returned comments to ASD Paul. The final draft of the EA is being
prepared and will be provided to Mr. Reinhold by the February 19,
2002, due date.
Four complaints involving wolves and
livestock were received during the month. One of the complaints
was verified as wolf damage, 1 was coyote damage, 1 involved damage
threat by wolves to livestock, and 1 involved coyotes coming around
horses. One newborn calf was verified as having been killed by wolves.
Traps were set at 1 farm, but no wolves
were captured during the month.
Eight reports of wolves coming into
people's yards or attacking domestic dogs were received. WS personnel
verified that wolves killed 1 dog and possibly wounded 1 dog. Some
of the reported sightings of wolves were determined to be dogs or
possibly wolf/dog hybrids. WS personnel set snares at a rural residence
near McGregor where the dog was killed.
No wolves were captured during the
month. WS received new wolf depredation control permits for 2002
from the USFWS and Minnesota DNR.
January - April, 2002
| Complaints |
1/02
|
2/02
|
3/02
|
4/02
|
2002 YTD
|
2001 YTD
|
| # received |
12
|
10
|
16
|
30
|
68
|
22
|
| # involving livestock |
4
|
8
|
11
|
24
|
47
|
13
|
| # verified |
2
|
4
|
6
|
10
|
22
|
6
|
| # involving livestock that were
verified |
1
|
4
|
5
|
8
|
18
|
4
|
| # of complainants |
12
|
9
|
16*
|
30
|
67
|
22
|
| # farms where livestock confirmed
killed or wounded |
1
|
3
|
5*
|
8
|
17
|
4
|
| # of complaints trapped |
2
|
3
|
5
|
8
|
18
|
6
|
| # of wolves captured/killed |
0 / 0
|
12/12
|
11/11
|
16/16
|
39/39
|
5/5
|
| Complaints |
5/02
|
6/02
|
7/02
|
8/02
|
2002 YTD
|
2001 YTD
|
| # received |
23 |
26 |
35 |
15 |
167 |
94 |
| # involving livestock |
23 |
23 |
35 |
13 |
141 |
78 |
| # verified |
16 |
10 |
23 |
11 |
82 |
44 |
| # involving livestock that were
verified |
16 |
10 |
23 |
11 |
78 |
41 |
| # of complainants |
15* |
25** |
34* |
15 |
149 |
80 |
| # farms where livestock confirmed
killed or wounded |
15* |
10*** |
22* |
11 |
71 |
38 |
| # of complaints trapped |
14 |
10 |
18 |
9 |
69 |
42 |
| # of wolves captured/killed |
19/19 |
18/10 |
34/24 |
32/32 |
142/125 |
89/84 |
* 1 repeat
**5 repeats
***2 repeats
| Complaints |
9/02
|
10/02
|
11/02
|
12/02
|
2002 YTD
|
2001 YTD
|
| # received |
20 |
18 |
3 |
|
208 |
137 |
| # involving livestock |
19 |
13 |
2 |
|
175 |
110 |
| # verified |
12 |
7 |
1 |
|
102 |
59 |
| # involving livestock that were
verified |
12 |
6 |
1 |
|
97 |
53 |
| # of complainants |
20* |
18*** |
3a |
|
178 |
118 |
| # farms where livestock confirmed
killed or wounded |
12** |
6a |
1a |
|
85 |
47 |
| # of complaints trapped |
9 |
8 |
0 |
|
86 |
55 |
| # of wolves captured/killed |
18/18 |
1/1 |
3/3 |
|
163/146 |
114/109 |
* 6 repeats
** 3 repeats
*** 5 repeats
a 1 repeat
|
