A Helping Hand We all need a helping hand once in a while
B.C. WILD PREDATOR LOSS CONTROL & COMPENSATION PROGRAM FOR CATTLE
Overview Program and it s s objectives How to recognize and verify predator attacks Wolf Grizzly bear Black bear Cougar Summary
Evolution of Problem Wildlife Control Bounty- money paid per wolf Government control specialist Arial poisoning, shooting Ground poisoning with strychnine, cyanide, 10-80 Restricted to ground baits of 10-80 Loss of poisons Now restricted to traps and snares, shooting Above methods had marginal success Turned over to BCCA for livestock protection
A New Approach DEFINITION OF INSANITY repeating the same procedure again and again expecting different results
Specific Problem Predator Not all predators attack cattle. A predator on your range not bothering your cattle should be left alone. These non-offending offending predators will keep other cattle killing predators out of their territory. For success, specific problem predator approach needed. Non-offending offending predators will not be removed.
Predators Considered
Eligibility All ranchers & farmers who raise beef or dairy cattle. Must manage cattle in accordance with accepted cattle production and waste management practices.
Objectives 1. Reduce cattle losses using preventive measures. 2. Targeted offending predator removal. 3. Provide compensation upon a verified kill.
1) Preventive Measures 1. Reduce cattle losses using preventive measures. Attend meetings, education on management and planning techniques. WS and WCS recommend measures to reduce wildlife/livestock conflict. Change calving area, range grazing practices, change livestock management timing, calving barns, increased range patrols, etc.
2) Targeted Predator Removal 1. Focus on animal causing problem. Permit allows removal within 1 year of attack or proven harassment by wolves. WCS will only remove offending predator or predators. Proper verification of confirmed kills enables WCS to correctly identify the correct predator.
Wolf Pack Area Defined
Cycle Time Wolf pack may cover 1000 square km. Wolf pack will regularly patrol boundaries marking scent post, to maintain established territory (cycle time). Dates they attend any given location is fairly consistent and can be predicted and control measures applied according to cycle time.
Establish Cycle
Proper Verification Led To A Successful Conclusion. This Is The Goal.
3) Compensation Measures 1. Confirmed kill, animal was alive and attacked by predator (verification). 2. Prevention measures may be recommended to reduce further occurrences. 3. Max. compensation 75% of last year s s average price as recorded by Canfax and Stats Canada. 4. Not applicable with alternative insurance program.
VERIFICATION IS AN ART NOT A SCIENCE
Wolf Prey may be influenced by the size of pack. Experience of the wolf. # s# s effect efficiency. Attacks consist of a chase with biting at the flanks and hindquarters (hamstring). Will note biting on nose and neck with attacks by more than one wolf. May see signs of blood trail and chunks of hair. Tails often broken or injured on other cows in the herd. May leave wounded prey to weaken and stiffen up and return at a later date to kill.
Wolf Bite to Hind Quarter
Wolf Bite Marks
Wolf Bite to Hind Quarters and Flank
Wolf
Wolf Bite Marks
Wolf Bite Marks
Wolf Prey consumed at the kill site, not dragged or moved. Bones chewed and broken. First feed on hind legs (rump area), then intestinal fat, heart, lungs, liver, etc. Also like the neck and ribs. Large packs usually consume entire animal in one feeding. Noted for eating carrion in winter months (hence the bait sites in winter).
Wolf Eating on Carcass
Wolf Signs of Struggle
Wolf Signs of Struggle
Grizzly Bear Larger and stronger and make cleaner kills than black bears. Optimum kill involves biting to the front region of large prey. Results - broken skull, neck or shoulder. Cattle may have teeth marks on their head, neck, and back. No sign of long chase (lazy). Prefer to drag kill to a cover before eating. Hind legs and thighs may be consumed first.
Grizzly
Grizzly Kill
Grizzly Bear Do not scatter bones like dog family. Often cover prey with leaves, grass and soil after feeding. Leave a lot of scat, tracks, etc. in area. Well known for feeding on carrion. Attend and eat animals that they have not killed. Cows have been killed for their milk (eat udder). Livestock problems June July; October- November
Grizzly Sub-Adult
Grizzly Cover
Black Bear Common to bite the top of neck and the back of cattle (similar to grizzly). No signs of long chase (lazy). Often severely wounded and high number of prey with tooth marks on the back and neck. Many will survive initial attack. Tend to prey on higher percent of calves than adults. May hit calf and be run off by cow (immature bear). Prefer to drag kill to a cover to eat. Hind legs and thighs may be consumed first.
Black Bear Attack
Black Bear Kill
Black Bear Do not scatter bones like dog family. May cover prey after eating (similar to grizzly). A lot of sign (scat, tracks) left around. Feed more readily on carrion than grizzly (attend and eat an animal that they did not necessary kill). Meat is consumed before viscera. Have been known to take calves for the milk and only eat the stomach contents.
Black Bear Kill
Black Bear Kill
Cougar Little to no chase, usually take place near cover. Leap on large prey s s back and bite into the neck and back vertebrae (base of skull). Teeth marks on the neck, and claw marks in front of and just behind the shoulders of the prey is characteristic of cougar kills. Will see on a horse but not often on cows. Claw marks will only show up as pin holes. Tearing of muscle done under the hide.
Cougar Crushed This Skull
Cougar Will drag prey to secluded spot to eat. Blood, heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys preferred items for diet (first feeding). Larger prey may have hole in neck where blood is lapped up. Cougars may surgically disembowel their prey and move carcass away from gut pile.
Cougar Kill
Cougar Bite Marks in Neck
Cougar When eating meat may leave clean cut edges, verses tearing of meat by other predators. Not normal to eat carrion, very fussy eaters. Almost always cover carcass with snow, loose soil or debris between feedings. Characteristic to gorge feed and bed close to area of kill.
Cougar Covered Kill
Predation, Determine Species Responsible Predator ranges. Habitat preference. Attack behavior. Feeding behavior. Tracks, scat hair check area, barbed wire fence, etc.
Predator Tracks Wolf 4 ¼ - 4 ¾ long. Claw marks show Coyote 2 ¼ long Cougar 4 ¼ long, no claw marks Black bear front foot, claw marks 1 to 1 ½ in front of toes. Grizzly bear front foot claw marks 2 ½ to 4 in front of toes Bear back foot. Black 7 long. Grizzly 11 long.
PROCEDURE- RANCHER Locate the attack site and kill area. Note natural features, cover, etc. For your safety, if the kill site is covered with debris, skip the next 3 steps and immediately call your WS. Note the position of the carcass. Look for signs of struggle and behavior of surviving herd. Examine the carcass for wounds. Note bruising, blood on ground, age of kill, location, and description of external wounds, parts of carcass consumed. Immediately call 1-8661 866-398-2848 with the above information.
NOT A PREDATOR
Not a Verifiable Kill
Summary Attend each kill site with a open mind. All information gathered by the rancher should be reported immediately to 1-866-398-2848 Confirmed predator attacks will be passed on to the Wildlife Control Specialist for predator removal.
WCS Success These offending predators were targeted and removed from the conflict area. The predator problems for this ranch have stopped.
To Report a Kill/Predator Problem 1-866-398-2848 http://www.cattlemen.bc.ca/wplccp.htm