Trends and Management of Wolf-Livestock Conflicts in Minnesota

Fig. 3.a.Winter severity index values for the Minnesota wolf range. Data from 1987-89 are discussed in the Epilogue. b. Indices to recent wolf depredations on livestock in Minnesota. Depredation data are based on reports received by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) from 1975 through 1985 and subsequently by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Minnesota Department of Agriculture data are not included. Total number of complaints received represent all complaints received involving wolves and livestock, regardless of whether wolves killed an individual. Number of complaints verified are the number of instances in which the FWS or APHIS investigation of a complaint produced evidence that wolves had killed or wounded one or more livestock. Each year after 1975 more than one complaint was verified at some farms. Data from 1987-89 are discussed in the Epilogue.