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Beyond 2000:
Realities of Global Wolf Restoration
23-26 February 2000
Duluth, Minnesota USA
William J. Paul, USDA/APHIS, Wildlife Services, 34912 U.S.
Highway 2, Grand Rapids, MN 55744, USA
Depredation by wolves (Canis lupus) on livestock and poultry
in Minnesota is a problem for some producers. While only a small
percentage of the farms in the wolf range are affected annually,
some of these farms will suffer substantial monetary loss in a given
year. From 1976 through 1998, the number of farms suffering verified
wolf depredations ranged from 9 to 99 per year (mean = 80 during
the past 5 years) out of about 8,000. From 1977 through 1998 the
highest cattle losses claimed by farmers were 0.83 per 1,000 available
in 1998; the highest sheep losses claimed were 13.87 per 1,000 available
in 1990. A state program which compensates farmers for livestock
destroyed by wolves has paid an average of $45,320 per year during
the past 5 years. Compensation payments from 1978 through 1998 have
ranged from $14,444 to $67,438. Claims of losses (especially of
calves) sometimes include missing animals. Livestock depredations
caused by coyotes (Canis latrans) are often misidentified
as wolf damage by farmers in the wolf range. As a result, the view
of wolves as livestock predators has been magnified. Most losses
occur in summer when livestock are released to graze in open and
wooded pastures. Some animal husbandry practices, such as calving
in forested or brushy pastures and disposal of livestock carcasses
in or near pastures, are believed to contribute to instances of
wolf depredation. The number of wolves captured on U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service depredation control programs from 1976 through
1985 and the U.S. Department of Agriculture depredation control
program from 1986 through 1998 has ranged from 15 to 227 per year
(mean = 163 during the past 5 years). Trapping that is initiated
against depredating wolves soon after losses have occurred, coupled
with improvements in animal husbandry practices, has potential for
reducing both livestock losses and the number of wolves that need
to be taken. However, the interface of these predators and livestock
in Minnesota will necessitate the continued removal of depredating
wolves.
Minnesota's wolf population is currently at an all-time high of
about 2,500 - 3,000 wolves. The wolf range has expanded significantly
in recent years. Wolves are now colonizing more agricultural areas
of the state and are causing an increase in depredation problems.
This trend is expected to continue under present management regulations.
Consequently, it will become necessary for Wildlife Services personnel
to resolve damage problems at a growing number of farms scattered
across an expanding wolf range. As depredation control actions increase,
the number of wolves taken each year is also likely to increase.
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