Wildlife Services: 

Helping ProducersManage Predation

United StatesDepartment ofAgricultureAnimal andPlant HealthInspectionServiceProgram Aid No. 1722
Extreme weather, treacherous terrain, and disease claim the

lives of countless livestock eachyear, but just as fearsome is thethreat posed by predators, such ascoyotes, cougars, wolves, andbears. Despite producers’ bestefforts to protect their livestock,hundreds of thousands of sheep,cattle, and goats fall victim to predators each year. In fact, predatorscause some of the most significantlosses to the sheep industry nationwide. Livestock losses attributed topredators cost U.S. ranchers andproducers more than $71 millionannually, according to statisticscompiled by the U.S. Department ofAgriculture’s (USDA) NationalAgricultural Statistics Service(NASS). 

When their losses become too

great, producers turn to Wildlife

Services (WS), a program within theUSDA’s Animal and Plant HealthInspection Service (APHIS), forassistance. WS has the Federalauthority, expertise, and researchcapability to resolve wildlife conflicts and help manage damage.This assistance can prevent predation and preserve the livelihood offarmers and ranchers across theNation.

Identifying the ProblemLivestock, especially young lambsand calves, are the target of a variety of predators, including coyotes,cougars, bears, wolves, foxes, andraptors. Coyotes, however, areresponsible for the majority of livestock predation in America. NASSsurveys found that coyotes accountfor 65 percent of all cattle and calf

h a

o

ng

rs

u

s by

k,”

ly

The U.S. Department of Agriculture(USDA) prohibits discrimination in allits programs and activities on thebasis of race, color, national origin,sex, religion, age, disability, politicalbeliefs, sexual orientation, or maritalor family status. (Not all prohibitedbases apply to all programs.)Persons with disabilities who requirealternative means for communication of program information (Braille,large print, audiotape, etc.) shouldcontact USDA’s TARGET Center at(202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD).To file a complaint of discrimination,write USDA, Director, Office of CivilRights, Room 326–W, WhittenBuilding, 1400 IndependenceAvenue, SW, Washington, DC20250–9410 or call (202) 720–5964(voice and TDD). USDA is an equalopportunity provider and employer.

In the United States, coyotes are responsible for morelivestock losses than all other predators combined. 

3
Livestock Husbandry

Keeping livestock confined in

pens or corrals may prevent predation, but it’s not very practical inmost cases. Corralling livestockonly at night, however, may be morefeasible and is also effective inreducing losses because manypredators, such as the coyote, oftenhunt at night. Lighting the corralcan further reduce the possibility ofa predator attack. 

Producers need to be especially vigilant in the spring. The fact

that spring lambing coincides withcoyote birthing can lead to highpredation because coyotes need tofeed their pups. To counteract thisthreat, more and more producersare turning to shed lambing. Beforea ewe gives birth, she is movedindoors to a confined space, whereshe will remain with her lambs forseveral weeks. In addition to protecting against predators, shed

lambing can also reduce newbornlosses due to inclement weather.

Because of their size and lack

of strength, young livestock areespecially vulnerable to predatorsduring the spring and summer.Shed lambing serves to give them afighting chance. In addition, producers can avoid using pastureswith a history of predation.Pastures closer to buildings andhuman activity can be safer foryoung livestock. Pastures withrough terrain or dense vegetationborders tend to provide predatorswith advantageous cover. Someproducers also put bells on theirsheep to discourage predators andalert herders or ranch hands to disturbances in the flock.Guard Animals

In increasing numbers, livestock producers are using guard

animals in their pastures and on

nt

hile



al

rn

e

e

s.

ut

d

d

t,

ers’ livestock losses could be three to five times higher. Managing Livestock Predation Ask any farmer how many measures he or she has in place to protect livestock from predators: most will rattle off half a dozen or more non- lethal controls. Combining various livestock techniques and tools to reduce predation is known as inte- grated damage management. WS recommends that producers employ a variety of measures, such as fenc- ing, guard animals, and shed lamb- ing, to protect their livestock. In combination, such measures can be effective in reducing predation. But not all methods are applicable in every situation.

e especially

se coyotes,

territory.

Ranchers experience the majority of livestock losses inthe spring and early summer, when young lambs are toosmall to fend off predator attacks. 

5
Fencing around pastures can offer some protection

against predation, but many predators learn to digdeeper or climb higher to defeat a fence. size of the pasture, before decidingwhether to build a fence. Fencingis most likely to be cost effectivewhen the potential for predation ishigh and fencing can be incorporated with other means of predatormanagement. For example, guarddogs and fencing used togetherachieve a higher rate of successthan either alone. Effective fencing,however, can impede the movements of other wildlife and shouldbe installed only after a professionalwildlife assessment.Frightening Devices

Loud noises, lights, and repellants can also be helpful in scaring

off predators. Cougars, wolves,coyotes, and other animals areeasily frightened by strange odors,sights, and sounds. Using thesemethods in combination can work

even better. For example, producers can use propane cannons,sirens, and radios with sound amplifiers to scare away predators lurkingaround pastures or open rangelands. While these measures canbe effective, their benefits are oftenshort lived because predators canadapt to new repellants and devicesquite rapidly. WS is researchinginnovative ways to use noise andsound to deter predators. Thatresearch is discussed later in thisbrochure.

WS Helps ProducersBy the time livestock producers andranchers request assistance fromWS, they have already employedsome or all of the nonlethal measures just described but are continuing to experience predation. In

s.

r of

gs

ys

d

ng

r

 of

,

ent

pre

efforts to protect livestock, guarddogs are also vulnerable to attackthemselves. The number of dogsneeded to protect a flock dependson its size, the local terrain, and thelivestock species onsite.Fences

Excluding coyotes by putting

up fencing, especially in large areas,is expensive but can offer someprotection. Many coyotes, however,learn to dig deeper or climb higherto defeat a fence. To be effective,the fence should be about 5.5 feethigh to keep the predators fromjumping over, and a buried wireapron or barbed wire at groundlevel can discourage digging.Producers can also install electricfencing to keep predators fromclimbing over. 

Livestock managers should

carefully consider a variety of factors, such as the type of terrain and

th the flock at all

eventing depredation. 

7
of predator killed a

cass for clues.

ep at the throat in

to benefit all of America. Whilethese dollar estimates are conservative, these studies highlight theimportance of WS’ work.WS Predator ManagementResearchWS’ efforts in the field to preventpredation are aided by the criticalresearch that is conducted at WS’National Wildlife Research Center(NWRC). Based in Fort Collins, CO,NWRC is the only Federal facilitydevoted exclusively to wildlifedamage-management research.NWRC’s predator ecology field station in Logan, UT, is dedicated tolearning more about why predators,such as the coyote, behave the waythey do. Researchers theorize thatif they can better understand theanimals, that understanding will

help them to address the problemof predation. Researchers atNWRC headquarters and the Loganfield station are conductingresearch to prevent predation andchange predator behavior. 

More than 75 percent of the

Center’s budget is dedicatedtoward developing nonlethal,socially acceptable means forresolving wildlife conflicts. No otherfacility in the world is betterequipped for such research.

Working with radio-collared

wolves in the Western UnitedStates, NWRC researchers useadvanced radio technology to monitor wolves moving in and out oflivestock areas. When wolvesencroach on pastures protected byWS-installed monitoring devices,the signals from these collars canbe used to trigger frightening

re

o

a

e

ar

er

or

S

ge.

es

t of

timate means of protecting livestock when nonlethal means prove inef- fective, impractical, or unavailable. The removal of these predators significantly reduces predation in targeted areas, saving producers thousands of dollars’ worth of losses. In addition to assisting producers, WS also helps protect the ecosystem from possible dam- age due to the inappropriate or ille- gal practices that amateurs might apply. Benefit–cost analyses con- ducted on predator management operations have shown that for every dollar spent on livestock protection, WS saves producers between $2 and $7 in losses. For every dollar saved by WS’ efforts, at least 3 additional dollars are gener- ated that extend beyond agriculture Ranchers and producers depend on WS for assistance in resolving livestock depredation complaints. 

9
ng

da

o

RC

ec

ys



at

s

ny

ars

k

e

nd

hat

uch

n a

ks.

d



s

y



Contraception in Wildlife (TechnicalBulletin 1853) fromUSDA APHIS WS NWRCLibrary4101 LaPorte AvenueFort Collins, CO 80521–2154

Creating a BalanceAs predator populations continue toexpand and livestock producersstrive to make a living, WS’ assistance is in constant demand.Through research and conflict management, WS works to create abalance that allows livestock operations to coexist with predators.Using an integrated approach forresolving livestock predation, WSemploys a variety of nonlethal and,when necessary, lethal methods tostop the damage caused by predators. The skill and knowledge ofWS-trained specialists providewildlife damage-management solutions that are helping to preserve away of life for both livestock producers and wildlife.Additional InformationFor more information about WS programs and predation management,contact WS at (301) 734–7921. Youcan also visit the program’s Website athttp://www.aphis.usda.gov/ws.