**ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF LARGE CARNIVORE PREDATION ON CALVES**

**A summary of information selected from Reference 1. Prepared by
Charles C. Price for presentation at the Senate Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources hearing for S. 2875, "Gray Wolf Livestock Loss
Mitigation Act of 2008", July 9, 2008.**

Impacts of grizzly bear (*Ursus arctos*) and gray wolf (*Canis lupus*)
predation on calves in the Upper Green River Cattle Allotment in western
Wyoming were quantified utilizing records of the number of animals
grazed and the number lost from 1990-2004. Confirmed predations by
grizzly bears began in 1995, while the first confirmed wolf predation
was in 2000. A "Confirmed Predation", is defined as predation that is
identified by a responsible agency, USDI-Fish & Wildlife Service,
USDA-Wildlife Services, Wyoming Game & Fish Department (WGFD), as a
predator damaged (2) animal for which an affidavit is issued to the
owner of the animal. Our analysis indicates that calf loss increases
coincide with grizzly bear and gray wolf arrival and population
establishment. From 1995 through 2004, 29,693 calves grazed on the
allotment. Of the 1,332 calves lost to all causes, an estimated 520
calves were lost to grizzly bear predation and 177 calves were lost to
gray wolf predation.

> Analysis of past and current grizzly and wolf compensation programs
> with respect

to the reimbursement of producers estimated the value of the
uncompensated financial impact on the allotment to be \$222,500 for the
period 1995-2004 (Ref. 1. pp 11-12).

Only a fraction of the predated calves are actually found and confirmed
as predator damage. Based on our findings, only one damaged calf is
found and confirmed for every 3.8 grizzly bear damaged calves, in the
case of wolves only one damaged calf is found and confirmed for every
6.3 wolf damaged calves. This leads to the concept of a compensation
factor, a multiplier that can be applied to the confirmed calf losses to
fairly compensate livestock producers for damage to their livestock by
large carnivores.

While the information is not in Ref. 1, I extracted the predator damage
data from our records for the years 2005-2007. There were 59 confirmed
kills for grizzly bears and 35 for wolves. Using the 3.8 and 6.3
multipliers yields 224 and 221 calves lost to grizzlies and wolves
respectively for the 2005-2007 period. Using this information I estimate
that over 1142 calves have been lost to grizzly bear and wolf predation
for the 1995-2007 period.

The grizzly bear and reintroduced wolf have expanded into areas where
they are in increasing conflict with human activity. Both species are
represented as having a large national support from the public; yet, the
burden for the damage these species cause falls on a very small number
of individuals. The result is that a few private citizens are being
driven into ruin by an implicit unfunded mandate. To be fair the WGFD
have been proactive in providing compensation for the grizzly damage,
3.5 to 1, and with the delisting of the wolf they are taking
responsibility for it with a compensation factor of 7 to 1. However,
since these animals are of national public interest the public should
support their interest financially.

Inadequate compensation results in resistance to large-carnivore
recovery programs. The development of compensation programs that fairly
reimburse livestock producers for losses is therefore a necessary
component of carnivore recovery efforts. Our analysis suggests that
disciplined grizzly bear management coupled with adequate compensation
for bear caused damage by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is
effective in minimizing conflict and resistance by private citizens.

Reference 1: "Quantifying economic impacts of large carnivore predation
on calves in the

> Upper Green River Cattle Allotment of western Wyoming", **DRAFT**,
> March 12, 2008; Albert P. Sommers, Charles C. Price, Cat D. Urbigkit,
> Eric M. Peterson

Reference 2: "Damaged" refers to a calf that may be killed or so badly
mauled it can't be

economically salvaged.