Minnesota Wolf Depredation Update 2014

Authors: John Hart, USDA-APHIS-WS and Dan Stark, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Presentation given at 2015 Midwest Wolf Stewards Conference at Northland College. April 2015.

Transcript

1. Minnesota Wolf Depredation Update 2014 John Hart USDA-APHIS-WS 34912 U.S. Hwy 2 Grand Rapids, MN 55744 (218) 327-3350 john.p.hart@usda.gov Dan Stark Minnesota DNR 1201 Hwy 2 East Grand Rapids, MN 55744 (218) 999-7802 dan.stark@state.mn.us
2.  Management reverts back to what it was prior to January 2012  Taking wolves in defense of human life  Depredation control allowed for verified depredation on domestic animals, except Federal wolf management Zone 1  Wolf removal assistance statewide for human safety  No depredation control trapping by certified gray wolf controllers  No funding for WS wolf depredation control until March 17, 2015 On the ground impacts of 2014 Wolf Court Ruling
3. MN Wolf Management Zones – Federal – State
4. Wolf Depredation Management Wolf Complaint Data 2012 2013 2014 Total complaints verified 122 70 86 Total livestock complaints verified 113 65 71 # of domestic dog verified complaints 9 5 15 Wolves trapped verified complaints 262 114 197 Zone B wolves trapped - historic losses 17 5 15 Certified trappers employed 13 Wolves shot* 16 8 10 * Legally shot to protect livestock or pets
5. Domestic animals verified killed by wolves in MN in 2014 does not include animals only wounded by wolves • 64 calves, 2 yearling • 8 cows • 21 sheep • 2 mini horses • 1 goat • 5 dogs killed, – 14 dogs attacked/ injured
6. 2015 so far • YTD 56 complaints received • 27 Verified • 10 pet dogs killed or wounded
7. 2015 a busy start • Mild winter/early spring • Low deer numbers • Good deer survival • Deer distribution – higher deer densities around towns and residences • Cattle out on pasture sooner
8. Dogs -some are killed and fed on
9. Some are just killed -wolf bites to dog throat
10. Wolves Captured and/or Removed in Minnesota for depredation management 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 No. Wolves Captured No. Wolves Killed
11. Minnesota Wolf Compensation Program • Compensation is paid by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. • Livestock producers are currently compensated at full market value for livestock killed by wolves. • “Missing” livestock are not paid for – a sore point with producers. • No compensation paid for pets, including guarding dogs.
12. Wolf Damage Compensation Payments
13. Minnesota Wolf Depredation Complaints
14. Minnesota Wolf Depredation Trapping
15. Voyageurs National Park 2015
21. Questions?
22. Eastern Timber Wolf Recovery Wolf Management Zones
23. Minnesota Wolf Range (14,094 mi2) 1,235 wolves (23,235 mi2) 1,521 wolves *(34,102 mi2) 2,445 - 2,921 (36,718 mi2) 2,211 *Total wolf range for 1998, 2004, and 2008 did not change. 2004 population estimate 3,020 wolves.