Relative Risks of Predation on Livestock Posed by Individual Wolves, Black Bears, Mountain Lions, and Coyotes in Idaho

Abstract

Gray wolf populations have exceeded anticipated recovery levels since they were first reintroduced to central Idaho in 1995. Although wolf predation on livestock is a relatively minor issue to the livestock industry as a whole, it can be a serious problem for some individual livestock producers who graze their stock in occupied wolf habitat. This paper compares Idaho population estimates for gray wolves with the available information on numbers of livestock killed by wolves in order to estimate numbers of livestock killed per wolf. This information is compared with similar analyses for other species most commonly implicated as predators of livestock in Idaho (coyotes, black bears, and mountain lions). Population estimates for coyotes, black bears, and mountain lions are based on review of available scientific literature and analyses in environmental assessments prepared by Wildlife Services, as well as estimates from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Wolf population estimates are based primarily on monitoring information provided by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the Nez Perce Tribe. Estimates of numbers of livestock killed by wolves, coyotes, black bears, and mountain lions are based on survey data compiled by the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Rationale for use of various data sets is provided, and limitations of the data are discussed. This analysis suggests that individual wolves are much more likely to prey on livestock than are individuals of any other predator species in Idaho.

Domestic calf mortality and producer detection rates in the Mexican wolf recovery area: Implications for livestock management and carnivore compensation schemes

“…In general, differences in predator impacts between sites can reflect the interplay between relative densities of different predator species (Sagor et al, 1997;Stahl et al, 2001), difference in probabilities of predator species and individuals killing livestock (Stahl et al, 2001;Collinge, 2008), and vulnerability of livestock to predation. The EE had higher densities of mountain lions and black bears and had calves born year-round (i.e., increasing the vulnerability of their livestock); these differences likely account for most of the difference between sites.…”

“…On the AR, a repeated pattern of depredations and removal of wolves occurred through time. Removal of wolves that had at least one depredation on the AR include; two adults in 2001; two adults in 2002; two adults and two sub-adults in 2006; and five adults, two sub-adults, and three pups in 2007 (Arizona Game and Fish Department et al, 2003a,b, 2007, 2008.…”