SASKATOON – More than 1,000 cattle have reportedly been killed by wolves in northern Saskat-chewan in the past year and that has prompted some people in the area to call for a wolf-control program.
“The losses will likely continue unless something is done to control the wolves,” said Dave Cubbon, agricultural representative for the province in Meadow Lake, Sask.
A survey by the rural municipalities of Beaver River and Meadow Lake in 1990 estimated 500 head of cattle were missing.
As well, another 200-300 cattle were estimated to be missing in the neighboring municipality of Loon Lake.
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Cubbon said the wolf population has increased in the past four years since the survey and he feels it’s safe to estimate at least 1,000 cattle are killed by wolves each year.
At $1,000 a head, plus poor weight gain by the livestock, farmers in the area are losing close to $100,000 each year due to wolf kills.
No compensation given
“We’re not talking about a minor issue. Talk about an industry losing major dollars and not receiving any compensation,” said Cubbon.
But provincial agriculture minister Darrel Cunningham said the solution lies in prevention rather than compensation. It would be difficult for government to reduce fees for those with government grazing land and have no compensation for private landowners with similar problems.
In addition, wolf-kill programs often incite a public outcry from activists, he said.
“There is a public interest in maintaining wolves, but the cost comes back to the farmer.”
Dorintosh rancher Dusty Harriott said he has lost 51 head of cattle to wolves in the last four years.
This past year, he lost 17 yearlings and eight spring calves.
Without government compensation, Harriott said he won’t be able to continue ranching. He already owes $35,000 to a loan program from livestock he bought last year.
He’s hoping to get a reduction in his $12,000 per year grazing lease fees or some sort of compensation similar to damages paid to grain farmers for waterfowl damages.
“If we don’t get any money we’ll have to start liquidating our assets. We’ve got no choice,” said Harriott.
His neighbor John Siewert said this was the worst year for wolves. In the past, he’s lost the “odd one” to wolves, but this year the Meadow Lake rancher lost 12 calves and four or five cows.
Gary Cortus, community pasture agrologist for the northwest region said he doesn’t think the wolf problem is any worse than normal.
In the four community pastures he deals with there were seven confirmed wolf kills and 14 animals missing.
No actual evidence
“There’s a difference between suspected and actually seeing,” said Cortus, of North Battleford.
Harriott’s lawyer Benjamin Partyka said he’s been trying to get government compensation for local farmers for years.
“In the meantime, farmers get to continue feeding the wolves top Grade A beef,” said Partyka, of Meadow Lake.
Randy Seguin, wildlife biologist for the Meadow Lake region, said he believes the wolf population is up but he doubts whether the number of cattle killed by wolves is as high as estimated.
“Guys put cattle into bush pasture and come back some time later and when they don’t have the right number of cattle, they claim wildlife damage.”
The problem areas tend to be where the cattle have been pushed up into wolf habitat, Seguin said.
While he admits some producers have legitimate concerns, he said others won’t be satisfied until there are no wolves left.
