Five Misconceptions

Myth #1 | Myth #2 | Myth #3 | Myth #4 | Myth #5

Myth #3

Wolves are killing all the sheep and cattle

FACT: Wolves are responsible for less than 1% of all livestock mortalities. Ranchers can be reimbursed for losses attributed to wolves.

EXAMPLE: In Wyoming, 42,000 cows and calves died in 2005 from all causes. Wolves killed only 54.

EXAMPLE: In Idaho, 22,000 sheep died from natural causes in 2004. Health and weather-related mortalities accounted for the loss of 7,800 sheep. Coyotes killed another 7,100; domestic dogs 1,400; bears 1,100; mountain lions 400; and wolves 244.  Wolves accounted for fewer than 0.2% of sheep mortalities in 2004.  These are the latest available statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and/or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

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