Tombstone epitaph., 1922-02-26
WILD ANIMALS TAKE
 HEAVY LIVESTOCK TOLL


 WILD ANIMALS TAKE
 HEAVY LIVESTOCK TOLL TUCSON. Feb. ia. During each year of its msrauding life the average iobo wolf exacts tolls from the live stock growers of Arizona to a total amount of 5000.
 The depredations of mountain lion in young cattle. colts and sheep killed has been placed at a like sum, while the proving of coyote causes an annual loss to cattle and sheep growers of $50.
 These estimates-and they are said to be conservative-are given by N. E. Musgrave. predatory animal in spector for the state of Arizona. who has been in Tucson during the pres ent week looking over the territory covered by his hunters and trappers. Inspector Musgrave, after visit to the Babaquivari range, is now making a survey of conditions in the Patagonia and Huachuca mountains before returning to his headquarters in Phoenix.
 Loss is Serious.
 The estimated damage to live stock and game accomplished each year by the various classes of preda- tory animal operating in this state has been arrived at after years of scientific observation of the different species" said Inspector Musgrave.
 The figures l have quoted are pos itively conservative and the actual eX- tent of the destruction to both live stock and game in this state in many instances far exceeds the amounts given
 The stock growers of this state  realize the importance of the cam paign being waged by us to extermin- ate these dangerous pests and pre- vent their rapid increase, and il is to their invaluable cooperation that we are enabled to quickly locate and kill the wolves which at frequent intervals drift into the state from Mexico.
 If the sportsmen of Arizona but realized it, our work of extermination is just as necessary in the conserva- tion of game as it is in the prevention Of livestock destruction. The game animals and birds killed each year by hunters is not drop in the bucket to that destroyed by lions, cats and wolves
 Tn Arizona weh ave force of 14 field men at present who, with traps, poison and hounds. are work ing continuously toward ridding the state of the animals that are the natural enemies of our meat and game conservation.
 Lion Kills Game.
 While the .lobo wolf is considered most destructive to livestock. the mountain lion is probably the great est enemy to game.
 Lions live on deer and wild tur- key when they can get them" con- tinued the inspector. and when game is not available they prey upon live stock. Lobos in a cattle country kill at least one yearling a week and some have been known to average 60 and 75 head of young cattle a year. Lions, when game is not to be had. will kill about the same number of CdttIc dS VIII iuc "oik, dituOu6u Oi the two they are not considered as great a menace to the livestock in dustry because of their preference for game.
 While the damage laid at the door of the coyote is small in comparison to the larger animals. the coyote is really the greatest menace to the livestock interests of Arizona for the reason of it's greater number.
 Bob cats are most destructive to sheep. goats or poultry. and they are one of our greatest menaces as far as game and game birds are con- cerned. When possible. they live on fawns snd quail Foves are also a serious menace in the destruction of game birds and they also kill young