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A LITERATURE REVIEW: WOLF DEPREDATION ON LIVESTOCK AND ELK.
Author
Dalke, Amber
Ruyle, George
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
2017
Body

Wolf reintroduction in the lower 48 states is a contentious issue. Many strategies are in place to both compensate ranchers for livestock loses due to wolves and to reduce the negative interactions among the species. The aim of this literature review is to gain insight into the full spectrum of effects of wolf depredation on domestic livestock and elk, and to examine management strategies used to reduce wolf depredation on livestock.� In order to further understand this complex relationship, literature was reviewed from peer reviewed journals, government agency documentation, and book chapters from the United States and Europe.� Many studies from the United States exist regarding wolf introductions in the west (northern gray wolf in and around Yellowstone and the Mexican gray wolf in the southwest). There are also a large number of studies from Europe where wolves and livestock/game species ranges have overlapped over a longer period of time compared to the U.S. studies. Preliminary findings suggest that there are direct and indirect effects of wolf depredations on livestock and game populations.� Direct effects of wolves include loss of livestock/game and physical harm to animals, while indirect effects include weight loss, diet and habitat selection changes, and altered social group responses.� Management strategies used to reduce wolf impacts on livestock/elk include telemetry collars on wolves (which allow ranchers to relocate livestock during sensitive times of the year, such as calving), herding dogs, temporary fencing and other impediments.� Ranchers also have changed calving seasons and employed riders. Understanding the effects of wolf depredation on livestock and elk, and the effectiveness of the various mitigation efforts�will help inform land managers about the most appropriate ways to limit the harmful effects of coexistence.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Conference Name
SRM St. George, UT
Collection
SRM Annual Meeting Abstracts