PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE
In 2001, wolves were only responsible for 1 percent of the cattle and .4 percent of sheep killed by predators.
In 2001, wolves caused the death of approximately three of every 10,000 cattle and 134 of every 10,000 sheep that died from all causes last year in the three states (Source: Ed Bangs, USFWS)
Most Recent Cattle and Calf Losses in Montana
*Note: 1995 is the most recent itemized data available for Other Predators and Non-Predator deaths to Cattle and Calves. There were 10 Cattle confirmed killed in 2000 by wolves.
By WOLVES
1995: 3
(Source: USFWS, Nez Perce Tribe, National Park Service, USDA Wildlife Services. 2001. Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery 2000 Annual Report. USFWS, Helena, MT.)
By OTHER PREDATORS (coyote, dog, lion, bobcat, other predators)
1995: 2,200
(Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Montana Field Office, Helena, MT)
By NON-PREDATORS (disease, calving, weather, poison, theft, unknown causes)
1995: 77,700
(Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Montana Field Office, Helena, MT)
2000 Sheep and Lamb Losses In Montana
By Wolves
2000: 2
(Source: USFWS, Nez Perce Tribe, National Park Service, USDA Wildlife Services. 2001. Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery 2000 Annual Report. USFWS, Helena, MT.)
By OTHER PREDATORS (fox, coyote, dog, lion, bobcat, bear, eagle, unknown predators)
2000: 18,900
(Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Montana Field Office, Helena, MT)
By NON-PREDATORS (disease, lambing complications, weather, poison, unknown causes)
2000: 66,000
(Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Montana Field Office, Helena, MT)
2001 Livestock Losses in Idaho
By Wolves
10 Cattle
16 Sheep
1 Dog
2001 Wolves controlled in response
7 killed
5 relocated
(Source: USFWS 2001 Annual Wolf Report)
2000 Sheep Losses in Idaho
66% of sheep losses were due to disease, accidents, injuries and weather
34% were due to predator depredations.
Of these depredations, 69% were caused by coyotes, 9% by dogs, 6% by bears, 4% by mountain lions, 2% by foxes, 3% by unknown animals and only 0.4% by wolves.
(Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture)
Estimated annual livestock losses (Idaho):
Before wolf reintroduction: 12,314 cattle and 9,366 sheep
Since reintroduction: Between 1995 and 1998 in Idaho, wolves killed a total of 15 cattle and 54 sheep
(Source: U.S. Fish & Wildlife statistics, January 1999)
Other Predator 2001 Statistics
In Montana Only:
Coyotes: 2,100 sheep and 12,200 lambs
Domestic dogs: 500 adult sheep and 600 lambs
Eagle: 100 sheep and 1,500 lambs
Bears: 200 sheep and 300 lambs
Mountain lions: 100 sheep and 300 lambs
Diseases, weather, poison, old age and other factors: 38,600 sheep and lambs
(Source: Scott McMillion, Bozeman Chronicle, April 2002)
Yellowstone area
Estimated annual livestock losses from all causes:
Before wolf reintroduction: 8,340 cattle and 12,993 sheep
After reintroduction: Between 1995-98 wolves killed 8 cattle and 84 sheep
(Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife statistics, January 1999)
Interesting Notes for Montana:
In Northwestern Montana, wolf predation accounts for less than .0004% of all predator-caused livestock deaths reported to Animal Damage Control (Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Statistics, January 1999)
From 1987 to 2000:
63 Sheep lost to wolves
(Source: USFWS, Nez Perce Tribe, National Park Service, USDA Wildlife Services. 2001. Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery 2000 Annual Report. USFWS, Helena, MT.)
480,500 Sheep lost to other predators
1,487,000 Sheep lost to non-predator causes
(Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Montana Field Office, Helena, MT)
From 1987 to 2000:
83 Cattle lost to wolves
(Source: USFWS, Nez Perce Tribe, National Park Service, USDA Wildlife Services. 2001. Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery 2000 Annual Report. USFWS, Helena, MT.)
In 1995 alone:
600 Cattle lost to other predators
79,300 Cattle lost to non-predator causes
(Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Montana Field Office, Helena, MT)
In January 2002 - MONTANA ONLY
There were 2,450,000 cattle and 335,000 sheep and 84 wolves in the NW MT Recovery area
(Source: Montana Department of Livestock, USFWS 2001 Annual Wolf Report)
Final 2001 Counts for 3 state region
563 total wolves at end of 2001
138 Sheep lost to wolves
40 Cattle lost to wolves
6 Dogs lost to wolves
19 Wolves were killed, 18 others were moved
2002 so far:
(Source: Ed Bangs, USFWS)
34 wolves killed by lethal control actions
2 uncollared Gravelly Pack members near Dillon for sheep (? Amt)
5 Ninemile Pack near Missoula for 4 llamas, 9 sheep and lamb
3 Sheep Mountain + 1 Druid for one CONFIRMED calf
10 Whitehawk (S. Central Idaho) for two sheep, one calf
1 dispersed Chief Joe pack, male (North of Helena) for 9 lambs
1 (unidentified pack??) lone wolf near Livingston, MT. Shot by rancher/wolf feeding on calf
1 Washakie Pack (Wyoming) to reduce packís food requirements
2 Washakie Pack (Wyoming) for "menacing" livestock and 1 cow death, injured another cow
(Over last 2 years, whole pack has killed 3 calves)
1 Yearling (pack?) in Gros Venture drainage for 2 calves
1 Freeze Out Pack female yearling for pair of ewes in the Gravelly Range (killed by rancher)
2 (Not in an organized pack) near Fairfield, Idaho for 5 sheep (just South of Sawtooth Nat. Forest)
2 Ninemile Pack for several sheep
2 Castle Rock Pack (Boulder Pack) south of Avon, MT for several cattle
1 yearling (Pack?) in Gravelly Range for 1 calf (could be Freezeout Pack)
935? if you divide that by 12 states its 75 critters a year per state
