Northern Rockies Wolf Collaborative
Idaho Wolves

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Idaho's Wolves Are Back

Restoring Balance to Idaho's Wild Places

Wolves, Livestock, and Ranching

Wolves are responsible for less than 1% of all sheep losses in Idaho.

According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, in 2005 wolves killed 244 sheep in the state of Idaho. [Source 1]

How does that compare with other causes of losses?  In 2004 (the most recent year in which The United States Department of Agriculture has data), 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%) were confirmed killed by wolves. 

Overall sheep deaths were reportedly due to:

* Sheep deaths due to predators represented 55% of overall losses. 

These depredation deaths included:

In 2006, 237 sheep in Idaho were killed by wolves, while in 2007, 185 sheep were killed by wolves across the state. [Sources 2, 3, 4] 

Wolves are responsible for less than 1% of all cattle losses in Idaho.

According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, in 2005 wolves killed 20 cattle in the state of Idaho. 

How does that compare with other 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:

* Cattle deaths due to predators represented less than 3% of overall losses. 

These depredation deaths included:

In 2006, wolves killed 73 cattle in Idaho, while in 2007, they killed 40 cattle state-wide. [Sources 5, 6, 7, 8]

Most livestock owners who experience verified depredation losses to wolves both seek and receive compensation for their losses.

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 over $1 million in the Northern Rockies for their livestock losses to wolves; the Bailey Fund celebrated its 20 year anniversary in 2007. Since the program's inception in 1987 (shortly after the first pack was established in Montana) through 2007, Defenders has paid for more than 90% of all verified livestock losses. [Source 9] 

 

Some losses are undetected, but even under the worst-case scenario, these still represent a small percentage of overall cattle losses.

Wolf-related livestock deaths are documented by federal and state agencies, but what about losses that aren't found?  By modeling for undetected losses under a worst-case scenario (e.g. heavy vegetation, remote location, infrequent human supervision of livestock), researchers determined that from 0-8 wolf depredation losses remain undetected.  Even under the worst-case scenario (e.g. all cattle grazing in densely-forested remote areas with little or no human supervision), this estimate still represents only about 1.03% of total cattle losses. [Source 10]

Sources:
(1) Steve Nadeau, Statewide Large carnivore Manager, Idaho Fish and Game, 600 S. Walnut, Boise, ID 83707]  
(2) Sheep and Goats Death Loss, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture, May 6, 2005
(3) Nadeau, M. S., C. Mack, J. Holyan, J. Husseman, M. Lucid, P. Frame, B. Thomas. 2007. Wolf conservation and management in Idaho; progress report 2006. Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 600 South Walnut, Boise, Idaho; Nez Perce Tribe, P.O. Box 365, Lapwai, Idaho. 73 pp;
(4) Nadeau, M. S., C. Mack, J. Holyan, J. Husseman, M. Lucid, B. Thomas, D.Spicer. 2008. Wolf conservation and management in Idaho; progress report 2007. Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 600 South Walnut, Boise, Idaho; Nez Perce Tribe, P.O. Box 365, Lapwai, Idaho. 73pp.
(5) [US Fish and Wildlife Service
(6) National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA
(7)  Nadeau, M. S., C. Mack, J. Holyan, J. Husseman, M. Lucid, P. Frame, B. Thomas. 2007. Wolf conservation and management in Idaho; progress report 2006. Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 600 South Walnut, Boise, Idaho; Nez Perce Tribe, P.O. Box 365, Lapwai, Idaho. 73 pp;
(8) Nadeau, M. S., C. Mack, J. Holyan, J. Husseman, M. Lucid, B. Thomas, D.Spicer. 2008. Wolf conservation and management in Idaho; progress report 2007. Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 600 South Walnut, Boise, Idaho; Nez Perce Tribe, P.O. Box 365, Lapwai, Idaho. 73pp.
(9)Idaho Office of Species Conservation; Defenders of Wildlife Bailey Fund Statistics
(10)  [Oakleaf, J.K., Mack, C., and Murray, D.L.  2003.  Effects of wolves on livestock calf survival and movements in Central Idaho.  Journal of Wildlife Management 67:  299-306.