Livestock depredation by wolves and the ranching economy in the Northwestern U.S.

摘要: article i nfo Article history: Due primarily to wolf predation on livestock (depredation), some groups oppose (Canis lupus) conservation in the Northwestern U.S., which is an objective for large sectors of public. Livestock depredation by wolves a cost borne producers, creates conflict between and organizations involved management. Compensa- tion main tool used mitigate costs depredation, but this may be limited at improving tolerance wolves. Furthermore, production fact provide indirectly important benefit - i.e. positive externality, maintaining relatively intact habitat private lands. We analyzed producers relative recent economic trends industry, specifically income generated from land value. Data were gathered investigations, compensation program price Idaho, Montana Wyoming, U.S.A. 1987 2003 period during had endangered species status. found that instigation attacks was determined need food, kill sheep excess food needs. Excessive killing contribute significantly intolerance killed approximately $11,076.49 per year 2003, although increasing linearly (R 2 =0.789, Pb0.001). Each such accounted b0.01% annual gross operations region. Thus, small it significant affected as these are not equitably distributed across industry. Compensation efficient when compared other regions. Land prices increased steadily throughout study =0.966, Pb0.001), while cattle decreased