Delta
In a recent guest commentary in The Denver Post, Rob Edward and Wendy Keefover-Ring wrote, “Wild carnivores and domestic dogs take a larger bite out of America’s sheep inventory [than wolves do], partly due to the profoundly defenseless nature of sheep, and partly owing to lackadaisical husbandry practices including turning bands of unguarded sheep out on open range.”
Stating that sheep are killed because of lackadaisical husbandry practices, including turning bands of unguarded sheep out on the open range, is wrong. Western range producers guard their sheep 24 hours a day, using shepherds and guard dogs because sheep do not have any natural defenses.
In 2003, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service peer-reviewed Wyoming’s wolf management plan. Ten of 11 experts approved Wyoming’s plan. The Fish and Wildlife Service later recanted its approval because of fear of potential lawsuits, not because of perceived inadequacies in the plan.
Wolf advocates downplay the damages caused by wolves. They toss out statistics to bolster their viewpoint, but under scrutiny their defense crumbles. Government statistics should be published on a localized basis of wolves in proximity of livestock. Instead, depredation numbers are couched in total head of livestock statewide, which significantly reduces the depredation rate and grossly misrepresents the impacts of wolves.
Another reason wolf depredation seems low is because the government has been somewhat proactive in removing depredating wolves. If wolves are killing livestock, then wolves may be lethally removed at some point. Without this management tool, depredation rates would escalate.
It’s ridiculous to compare the number of livestock killed by wolves to other losses. Ranchers diligently work to minimize losses due to predators, illness and weather. The government doesn’t handcuff you and tell you that you can’t vaccinate, feed, water or manage for your animals’ well being. However, the wolf recovery program eliminates a rancher’s ability to effectively protect his livestock against wolf attacks.
Edward and Keefover-Ring don’t explain the hardships the federal wolf recovery program has created for ranchers with wolves in proximity of their livestock. Because of the vast acreages necessary for rotational grazing, it is difficult to find carcasses consumed by wolves and get government agents to confirm wolf attacks. Wolf attacks cause injuries and stray loss due to harassment. When wolves attack, for every one confirmed head of livestock killed there are usually at least another five missing. Wolves kill guard dogs and run frightened livestock through fences and down timber. Ranchers incur additional fuel, labor and veterinary costs as the result of having wolves near their livestock. Time is diverted from management activities such as haying or grazing programs, as ranchers are forced to increase herd monitoring and attend meetings as a result of having wolves near their livestock.
Sheep were among the first domesticated animals; they provided a source of nutrition and fiber that enabled our earliest ancestors to survive. Sheep have always required a shepherd (read the Bible). Pioneer ancestors settled the West and enabled the United States to prosper. It is upon their blood, sweat and tears the rest of us are able to enjoy the luxuries of our modern society.
Ranchers provide open space and wildlife habitat; they cherish our heritage and our environment. They cherish their livelihoods and require the ability to protect their livestock. Ranchers should not incur the burden supporting the urban wildlife fantasy as publicly owned predators kill privately owned livestock.
The Wyoming wolf management plan is a common sense solution to a complex problem. It safeguards the required number of wolves to maintain a sustainable population, which acknowledges that many people value the presence of wolves. The plan enables wolves to be shot when they are out of the designated areas if they are killing livestock and if the overall population numbers are not in jeopardy.
Carnivore advocates need to stop their temper tantrums and deliberate campaigns of misinformation. It’s time to deal with the facts.
Bonnie Kline is executive director of the Colorado Wool Growers Association.
