KAMLOOPS, B.C. — A livestock protection plan in British Columbia may be a victim of its own success.
The three-year pilot program launched in January 2016 may run out of money before its mandate ends, said coordinator Mark Grafton.
“With the volume we are dealing with, it is looking like our funding will run out before the end of this year,” he said in an interview during the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association annual meeting held in Kamloops May 25-27.
The Livestock Protection Program is a collaboration between livestock groups and the government to verify wolf and coyote attacks on sheep, beef and dairy cows. Provincial conservation officers handle cases involving all other predators.
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Conservation officers once handled all complaints but they did not have the manpower to address the problem of wolves, coyotes, bears, cougars, eagles and ravens. To date the program has handled 183 files.
It offers 80 percent compensation for veterinary bills when animals have been attacked. The current rate for a dead cow is $1,525. Yearlings are $1,047 and calves are $792.
Conservation officers have trained about 700 people to verify the type of predator attack. That information is submitted before payment can be made. When a conclusive verification is made, a specialist can be sent to remove the predators.
The program works with the B.C. trappers association as well as about 50 ranchers who are licensed as wildlife specialists to remove problem predators.
Wolves are the number one issue throughout the province but problems vary by region.
“Wolf problems are not the same throughout the province. There are definitely hot spots,” said Grafton. “Coyotes are distributed throughout the province except on the island.”
In the case of wolves, wildlife specialists try to remove the entire problem pack, which can vary in size from one to 15 animals. Since the program started, they have removed 157 wolves.
“Once they have selected livestock as their food source, you need to get the whole pack. We are not always successful getting the whole pack, but that is our goal,” Grafton said. “If you have a pack that is not preying on your cattle, you don’t bother them because when you take that pack out they will be replaced. If they are replaced by a pack that does prey on cattle, then you have created a problem.”
Eagles and ravens also attack animals, especially young ones. They may sever arteries around the eyes, causing extensive bleeding, or introduce infection by gripping animals with their talons.
“We have probably as much death loss from ravens over the years as wolves. Eagles are also a problem,” said BCCA president Brian McKersie.
This year the program has dealt with three times the number of bird attacks as usual, especially on young animals during calving.
“Ravens are getting to be a real problem. They are smart and they are hard to shoot,” said Grafton. Last year there were 11 reported cases compared to 31 attacks so far this year.
Area producers who suspect a predator attack on livestock can call toll-free at 1-844-852-5788.
Wherever possible, the program aims to inspect and verify a predator kill within 36 hours and initiate mitigation measures within 24 to 48 hours of positive verification.
