OSOYOOS, B.C. – After a successful run of three years, British Columbia ranchers want a provincial predator control program extended.
The control and compensation program ended March 31. The province has agreed to continue it for another year but the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association wants the program to run another three years with adequate funding and staff to protect ranches from increasing numbers of predators.
The greatest problem with wolves, bears and other predators lies north of 100 Mile House up to the Peace River district, said Clay Campbell, who runs the provincial program.
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Up to March 2005, 65 claims for 68 head of cattle were paid, for a total of $26,289. He expects more than 100 claims for predator damage by the end of the year.
“We are probably seeing between five and 10 percent of the total problem that actually exists out there,” he told the BCCA annual meeting in Osoyoos May 27.
Wolves killed 35 head of cattle, black bears18, coyotes 11, cougars three and grizzly bear, one.
Problems were handled on 47 ranches but that does not mean predators may not return.
To help livestock producers, a manual is being published with pictures and descriptions of the type of predators, as well as illustrations to show how they maul and kill so ranchers can identify what happened to an animal when making a claim. Wildlife officers ultimately verify predator kills so compensation can be paid.
