Randy L. Jurewicz, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Endangered Resources, 101 South Webster Street, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921, USA; Kelly A. Thiel, U.S. Department of Agrilculture, Box 1064, Rhinelander, WI 54501, USA

Depredation by wolves on livestock or pets has been a rare event since the return of wolves to Wisconsin in the mid-1970's. These depredations will continue to be infrequent events, but will increase somewhat as the wolf population expands.

Fifty-four cases of wolf depredation occurred in Wisconsin during the 23 year period, including 45 calves, 11 sheep, 140 turkeys, and 27 dogs killed and 9 dogs injured. Payments on wolf depredations totaled $55,574.91, including $13,269.75 payments on livestock and $42,305.16 payments on dogs. Depredation on dogs represented 76% of reimbursement payments provided by the WDNR.

During the 23 year period at least 130 wolf complaints were investigated by agency personnel, but only 54 were confirmed as probable wolf depradation.

Some expansion of wolf depredation will likely occur in the future. Once wolves are reclassified to a federally threatened species, depredating wolves that are habitual depredators on livestock would be euthanized. New funds will need to be located to provided reimbursement payments for wolf depredation on livestock and pets once wolves are delisted in Wisconsin.