Northern Rockies Wolf Collaborative
Wyoming Wolves

Wolf in Snow © Corel Corp.

Reintroducing Wolves to Wyoming

An Historic Conservation Achievement

Wolves, Livestock, and Ranching

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

According to the US Fish & Wildlife Service, wolves killed 38 sheep in the state of Wyoming in 2006, while in 2007, wolves killed 16 sheep. [Sources 1, 2]

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, 29,000 sheep died from all causes in Wyoming, but only 17 sheep (less than 0.1%) were confirmed killed by wolves. [Source 3] 

Overall sheep deaths were reportedly due to:

* Sheep deaths due to predators represented 59% of overall losses. 

These depredation deaths included:

Wolves are responsible for less than 0.2% of all cattle losses in Wyoming.

According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, in 2006 wolves killed 54 cattle in the state of Wyoming, while in 2007, wolves killed 55 cattle state-wide. [Sources 4, 5]

How does that compare with other losses?  In 2005 (the year for which we have the most recent detailed data), not including cattle that were slaughtered at market, 42,000 cows and calves died from all causes in Wyoming. [Source 6] 

These deaths were reportedly due to:

* Cattle deaths due to predators represented less than 10% of overall estimated losses. 

These depredation deaths included:

Almost all 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 with more than $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 7]

Sources 
(1) Jimenez, M.D., D.W. Smith, D.S. Guernsey, and R.F. Krischke, 2007. Wyoming Wolf Recovery 2006 Annual Report. Pages 174- 201 in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery 2006 Annual report. USFWS, Ecological Services, 585 Shepard Way, Helena, Montana, 59601. 235 pp. Jimenez, M.D., D.W. Smith, D.R. Stahler, D.S. Guernsey, S.P. Woodruff, and R.F. Krischke, 2008.
(2) Wyoming Wolf Recovery 2007 Annual Report. Pages WY-1 to WY-28 in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery 2007 Annual Report. USFWS, Ecological Services, 585 Shepard Way, Helena, Montana, 59601
(3) National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA
(4) Jimenez, M.D., D.W. Smith, D.S. Guernsey, and R.F. Krischke, 2007. Wyoming Wolf Recovery 2006 Annual Report. Pages 174- 201 in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery 2006 Annual report. USFWS, Ecological Services, 585 Shepard Way, Helena, Montana, 59601. 235 pp. Jimenez, M.D., D.W. Smith, D.R. Stahler, D.S. Guernsey, S.P. Woodruff, and R.F. Krischke, 2008.
(5) Wyoming Wolf Recovery 2007 Annual Report. Pages WY-1 to WY-28 in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery 2007 Annual Report. USFWS, Ecological Services, 585 Shepard Way, Helena, Montana, 59601.
(6) National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA
(7) [US Fish and Wildlife Service table – Confirmed Wildlife Depredation and Management by State 1987-2006;  Defenders of Wildlife: Wolf Compensation Maps and Records