r>RArr eis appendix i 



Wolves cause a small number of the total livestock losses in Montana compared to other sources of livestock 

 mortality. Most sheep losses in Montana during 1999 were due to depredation by coyotes, disease, weather, and 

 lambing problems. Most cattle los.ses in 1995 (most recent data available) were due to disease, calving, and, 

 weather ( Meier in press). Appendix 6 itemizes sheep and cattle losses by cause in Montana, as reported by the 

 USDA Agricultural Statistics Service, Montana Field Office. 



Nevertheless, wolf losses may be disproportionate to one or a few livestock producers because of where a wolf pack 

 territory is established relative to livestock distribution, type of stock, and/or grazing practices such as turnout dates. 

 Producers sometimes report missing livestock as suspected wolf depredation, but the loss cannot be confirmed. 

 Sometimes a carcass is not found. In other instances, scavengers may have destroyed the evidence. Or, the 

 evidence may be inconclusive because two or more carnivore species capable of killing livestock visited the site. In 

 some circumstances, confinned livestock losses may be a fraction of the total losses (Oakleaf /'/; Bangs and Shivik 

 2001). In addition to livestock mortalities, producers have reported injured and stressed livestock, reduced weight 

 gains, decreased pregnancy rates, and other complications when wolves are present. Issues such as unconfirmed 

 losses, best management practices, or indirect effects on livestock productivity because of wolves warrant additional 

 research. While MFWP is interested in this issue and would participate as a collaborative partner, it is unlikely that 

 MFWP will be a major source of funding for such research. 



Wildlife Services 



WS, while not a resource management agency per se, is the federal entity routinely called upon by state and federal 

 agencies as well as the private sector to provide operational and technical assistance to control damage caused by 

 wildlife (Animal Damage Control 1994). WS is a work unit of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of 

 the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Through a partnership between the USDA and state agencies or the private 

 sector. WS engages in a wide range of damage management activities, including research, consultation, control of 

 problem animals, technical assistance, and public outreach. Respondents in a recent national survey affirmed that 

 society has a need and a right to control the damage caused by wildlife and that state and federal governments 

 should play a role in meeting that need (Reiter et al. 1999). 



Within Montana, WS is currently a signatory to an MOU with MDOL and MFWP to investigate depredations and 

 conduct predator control for damage caused by wildlife other than wolves. Upon delisting, an MOU between 

 MFWP and WS will be developed under which WS would also assist with wolf-livestock conflicts. The MOU will 

 guide coordination and management activities among the three entities. MFWP, in cooperation with MDOL, will 

 contract WS to respond to landowner or livestock producer wolf depredation complaints, to conduct field 

 investigations, and to carry out management actions. WS will bring their expertise to the situation and resolve the 

 conflict. WS will also make recommendations about the resolution of specific conflicts as well as ways of 

 improving agency effectiveness and overall conflict resolution procedures. MFWP has the responsibility to provide 

 guidelines to WS for capture operations and procedures and to identify the appropriate management actions - given 

 the situation details and wolf population status. MFWP will also provide guidelines for reporting of investigative 

 findings, management activities, and outcomes. MFWP has the ultimate responsibility for determining the 

 disposition of wolves and will be guided by the strategies outlined in this plan. MFWP will also coordinate with 

 other state or federal agencies as appropriate. 



The MOU will also be a formal recognition and extension of the ongoing cooperation already taking place at the 

 field level between WS agents and MFWP personnel in resolving wildlife damage caused by species other than 

 wolves. In many ca.ses, that cooperation proactively addresses conflicts through public outreach and technical 

 assistance. The result is less damage to private property and the lethal removal of fewer problem animals. 

 Examples include the MI^WP conflict management specialists working on the East Front of the Rockies, the Greater 

 Yellowstone Area, and northwest Montana. This cooperative spirit is already estabhshed and will be expanded upon 

 for resolution of wolf conflicts. 



Livestock producers should report any suspected wolf depredations (injuries or death) or the disruption of livestock 

 or guarding animals to WS directly, as is the case for other wildlife species such as mountain lions. Any evidence at 

 the scene should be protected from disturbance. WS will also investigate incidents involving domestic pets or dogs, 

 guarding animals such as llamas, and alternative livestock. A rapid agency field response is imperative so that 

 evidence may be examined as soon as possible after the incident. WS agents complete an investigative report form 



39 



