Title
Wolf depredation on domestic animals in Wisconsin, 1976-2000
Author(s)
Treves, A; Jurewicz, RR; Naughton-Treves, L
Published
2002
Publisher
Wildlife Society Bulletin
Abstract
As wolves (Canis lupus) recolonize mixed forest and agriculture areas in the Lake Superior region of the United States, their depredations on livestock are increasing, along with public complaints and compensation payments. We documented 176 complaints about wolves in Wisconsin between 1976 and 2000 and analyzed the regional and temporal patterns for the 87 verified incidents involving the injury or death of 377 domestic animals. Calves were the most frequent target of wolf depredation, but game-farm deer losses demanded higher compensation payments. Sixty-six property owners were affected by wolf depredations over the 25-year period examined. Compensation costs averaged $96.00 per capita of wolf/year. Two thirds of 71 breeding wolf packs were never suspected of causing depredations, but 4 packs were involved in greater than or equal to4 incidents. These data were collated to aid in preventing wolf depredation and provide a foundation for policy-making surrounding the impending federal delisting of the wolf.
Keywords
HUNTING SUCCESS; CANIS-LUPUS; WOLVES; PREDATION; LIVESTOCK; MINNESOTA; CONSERVATION; MANAGEMENT; LLAMAS; SHEEP
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PUB11355