The Real Cost Of Coexistence With Wolves In The West

Since the reintroduction of the gray wolf to the Northwest, ranchers across the region have tried to coexist with the predator. 

But what is the cost of having those animals as part of the western landscape? 

Pam Lewison, Agriculture Research Director at the Washington Policy Center, released a paper taking a look at the impact wolves have had on the ranching community.  Lewison said the first thing that must be understood is that wolves are not large dogs.  They are dangerous; no different than a bear or any other large predator mammal.

“I think that we sort of forget that there are lots of wild places left. in Washington state and around the West, where you don't have cell service and you don't have the ability to walk out your door and see buildings, particularly when you get into some of our rural areas," Lewison pointed out.  "And when you have these large predators, who are roaming free as they are meant to do. They have a really significant impact on prey populations and that prey includes livestock that are out grazing.”

When it comes to the financial cost, Lewison says the numbers are revealing.  Citing a university study, Lewison noted a rancher can withstand a 2% loss of calves, which comes out to be a 4% dip in income, or roughly $5,000 in market share.

“But if you have a 14% calf loss rate, which is pretty high, really, that works out to be about 34% income loss down the road or about $42,000. So, when we talk about an actual tangible loss, that's a significant amount of income that you are losing from calves being lost in two ways, either a miscarriage or calves that are being eaten by wolves.”

Lewison added it’s not just ranchers paying for the lost livestock.  She said every time cattle are eaten by wolves, taxpayers reimburse ranchers for their losses.  Depending on the state, reimbursement can cost anywhere from $500 to $15,000 per animal.

Click Here for Lewison's paper.

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