The Wildlife Services

Program

The Wildlife Services (WS) program responds to

requests by the public and agencies in need of help

in dealing with wildlife damage. A Federal service

program that shares costs with cooperators, WS is

part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal

and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). WS

has the authority to assist in solving problems that

are created when wildlife causes damage to agricultural property, or natural resources. WS also assists

with wildlife problems involving threats to human

health and safety and threatened or endangered

species.

WS considers the well-being of the public and

wildlife at all times. WS acts as a protective buffer,

guarding not only resources, but also wildlife and the

environment when conflicts between humans and

wildlife occur. When formulating control strategies,

WS specialists consider protected or endangered animals, environmental impacts, the cost effectiveness

of control methods, and social and legal concerns.

Control strategies may include the application of one

or more techniques, and consideration is first given to

nonlethal methods.

WS professionals provide biologically sound,

effective, and accountable solutions to wildlife problems. In all instances, WS programs are conducted

to ensure no lasting negative impact on wildlife populations. WS professionals strive to educate the public

and producers about the importance of using responsible strategies for living with wildlife.

Economic Losses to Wildlife

More than half of U.S. farmers experience economic loss from animal damage. In 1999, sheep and

goat producers lost an estimated $19.9 million due to

predation. In 2000, cattle producers’ losses to predators were worth $51.6 million. That year, coyotes

alone caused $9.6 million in sheep losses and $31.7

million in cattle losses nationwide.

Additionally, beavers in the Southeastern United

States cause an estimated $100 million in damage

each year to public and private property, while

Mississippi catfish farmers lose nearly $6 million

worth of fingerlings to fish-eating birds. During 1 year

in Pennsylvania, white-tailed deer caused crop losses

totalling $30 million. Overall bird populations cause

an estimated annual loss to U.S. agriculture of $100

million. In total, the annual dollar loss to agriculture

in the United States from wildlife exceeds $500 million.

The Role of WS

Many people who suffer damage caused by

wildlife do not have the ability to deal with the problem and become frustrated. Their actions, although

well intentioned, may cause unnecessary harm to

wildlife and the environment. Placing the responsibility for managing the damage caused by wild animals

in the hands of professional wildlife biologists—like

those employed by WS— ensures that responses to

damage will be biologically sound and economically

efficient.

Most of WS’ efforts are conducted on private land

in response to specific requests for assistance. WS

also provides assistance in resolving some wildlife

damage problems on Federal– and State–managed

lands. WS programs and activities conform with all

Federal, State, and local laws and regulations and

are designed and conducted to safeguard the environment, nontarget wildlife populations, and public

safety. After developing agreements with governmental and private–sector cooperators, WS provides help

to prevent or reduce wildlife damage through two

approaches: technical assistance and direct control.

Technical Assistance

WS professionals often provide advice, recommendations, information, or materials for use in managing wildlife damage problems and helping threatFactsheet

Wildlife Services April 2002

APHIS

WS helps protect sheep from predators.
ened and endangered species to thrive. WS employees also help identify the wildlife species responsible

for specific damage and determine the extent of the

damage. WS’ recommendations may involve habitat

modification, cultural practices to reduce the likelihood

of wildlife damage, behavior modification, relocation,

or ways to reduce specific wildlife populations to control the amount of damage they cause.

Direct Control

Some problems caused by wildlife are too complex or difficult for any one individual, group, or

agency to solve. For example, dealing with thousands

of birds roosting in an urban neighborhood is beyond

the capabilities of most individuals. Likewise, capturing coyotes, bears, mountain lions, or other large animals preying on livestock or threatening human safety

usually requires specialized equipment and skills. In

these instances, WS professionals help solve the

problem. Direct control is usually provided when the

resource owner’s efforts, such as habitat modification,

have proven ineffective or resolution of the problem is

beyond the resource owner’s ability to deal with the

problem.

Resources and Other Areas Protected by

WS

WS helps to reduce damage caused by wildlife to:

• crops and livestock,

• natural resources,

• public and private property, and

• public health and safety.

WS helps resolve issues related to:

• bird hazards to aircraft;

• starling and blackbird contamination at feedlots;

• bird damage to aquaculture;

• urban starling and blackbird roosts;

• nuisance Canada geese;

• predation of waterfowl and livestock;

• beaver flooding roads and damaging timber;

• deer damaging orchards, crops, and ornamental 

landscaping;

• bear destroying timber and beehives;

• wildlife–borne diseases, such as rabies and 

plague; and

• wildlife threats to endangered species.

Techniques Used by WS

WS professionals recommend and use an 

integrated wildlife-damage–management approach to

reduce wildlife damage. This approach employs

methods to prevent damage from occurring and to

stop damage once it begins. All techniques used

meet strict guidelines for safety, selectivity, and 

effectiveness. These methods may involve changing

management practices, modifying habitat, dispersing

animals, or removing wildlife. A combination of these

approaches is generally used. WS’ National Wildlife

Research Center improves the techniques available to

WS and develops new methods for reducing animal

damage.

The following techniques may be used to resolve

nuisance bird problems:

• frightening devices,

• dispersal techniques,

• structural or habitat modifications to eliminate 

nesting and roost sites,

• capture and relocation, or

• selective removal.

Deer damage to orchards, vineyards, or 

ornamental vegetation may be resolved by:

• taste repellents on plants,

• electric fences, or

• frightening devices.

Predator depredation on livestock may be

resolved by:

• changing livestock husbandry techniques,

• electric fences,

• the Electronic Guard,

• guarding dogs, or

• selective predator removal.

Additional Information

You may obtain more information about WS from

any State APHIS, WS office. For the address and

telephone number in your area, call the WS

Operational Support Staff at (301) 734-7921. You can

also visit the WS Web site at

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ws.

WS helps the endangered least tern survive
United States Department of Agriculture • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • Safeguarding American Agriculture

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination

in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national

origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to

all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative

means for communication of program information (Braille, large

print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of

Civil Rights, Room 326–W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence

Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250–9410 or call (202) 720–5964

(voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and

employer.