MYTH: Wolves are devastating Idaho's sheep industry.
REALITY: Wolves are responsible for less than 1 percent of all
sheep losses in Idaho.
DETAILS: According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, in 2005 wolves killed 244 sheep in the state of Idaho. Source: US Fish and Wildlife Service . How does that compare with other causes of losses? In 2004 (the most recent year data is offered by NASS), not including sheep that were slaughtered at market, 22,000 sheep died from all causes in Idaho but only 270 sheep (less than 0.2 percent) were confirmed killed by wolves. Overall sheep deaths were reportedly due to:
Digestive problems (1,600);
Respiratory disease (1,300);
Birthing problems (1,100);
Misc. health problems (3,200);
*Predators (all combined) (12,100)
Harsh weather (600); and
Poisoning (800).
In 2006, wolves killed 173 sheep in Idaho. Source: Steve Nadeau, Statewide Large Carnivore Manager, Idaho Fish and Game, 600 S. Walnut, Boise, ID 83707.
MYTH: Wolves are devastating Idaho's cattle industry.
REALITY: Wolves are responsible for less than 1 percent of all
cattle losses in Idaho.
DETAILS: According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, in 2005 wolves killed 20 cattle in the state of Idaho. Source: US Fish and Wildlife Service. How does that compare with other causes of losses? In 2005, not including cattle that were slaughtered at market, 105,000 cows and calves died from all causes in Idaho. These deaths were reportedly due to:
Digestive problems (23,200);
Respiratory disease (16,500);
Birthing problems (9,200);
Misc. health problems (7,900);
Lameness and injuries (3,100);
Predators (all combined) (2,500)
Harsh weather (1,300);
Poisoning (800); and
Theft (100).
Cattle deaths due to predators represented less than 3% of overall losses. These predation deaths included coyotes (600 calves), mountain lions (200 calves), and dogs (100 calves). Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. In 2006, wolves killed 24 cattle in Idaho in 2006. Source: Steve Nadeau, Statewide Large Carnivore Manager, Idaho Fish and Game, 600 S. Walnut, Boise, ID 83707.
MYTH: Ranchers are not reimbursed for their losses to wolves.
REALITY: Most livestock owners who experience verified depredation losses to wolves do seek and receive compensation for their losses.
DETAILS: In 1987, Defenders of Wildlife (Defenders) initiated the first privately funded, livestock compensation program of its kind to reimburse livestock owners for wolf caused losses while wolves are under federal protection. To date, [The] Bailey Wildlife Foundation Wolf Compensation Fund, named in honor of its largest contributor, has reimbursed ranchers almost $700,000 in the Northern Rockies for their livestock losses to wolves and celebrates its 20 year anniversary in 2007. Since the program's inception in 1987 (shortly after the first pack was established in Montana) through 2005, Defenders has paid for more than 90% of all verified livestock losses. In addition to Defenders' compensation program, the Idaho Office of Species Conservation administers a secondary compensation program that reimburses Idaho livestock owners for the remaining losses and also compensates for missing and unverified livestock losses.
Sources:
Idaho Office of Species Conservation: PDF Files
MYTH: Most livestock losses to wolves are undetected.
REALITY: Some losses are undetected, but even under the "worst-case" scenario, these still represent a small percentage of overall cattle losses.
DETAILS: Wolf-related livestock deaths are documented by federal and state agencies but what about losses that weren't found? By adding a factor for undetected losses under a worst case scenario (e.g. heavy vegetation, remote location, infrequent human supervision of livestock), researchers determined that from one to eight wolf depredation losses remain undetected (Oakleaf et al 2003). If that number is accurate and all undetected losses occurred under these worst-case scenarios, wolves may have actually killed between 40 and 160 cattle in Idaho in 2005. However, this estimate still represents less than one percent (0.15 %) of total cattle losses.
