Key Takeaways
- There are nearly 3,500 gray and Mexican wolves scattered across the western United States.
- Every time cattle are eaten by wolves, taxpayers reimburse ranchers for their losses. Depending on the state, that reimbursement can cost anywhere from $500 to $15,000 per animal.
- Ranch income is negatively impacted by the presence of wolves exponentially. A 2 percent calf loss equates to a 4 percent income loss, or about $5,000, while a 14 percent calf loss equates to a 34 percent income loss for a ranch, or about $42,000.
- States should encourage private partnerships to develop solutions to reduce predations and improve gray and Mexican wolf management.
Introduction
Gray wolves are dangerous apex predators. Experience shows that gray wolves have negative impacts on ranchers and livestock both economically and biologically. Western states have sought to reestablish wolf populations in pursuit of making ecosystems whole but in doing so have, in some cases, ignored the need for flexibility in management practices and recovery goals over time.
