Utilizing $2 million provided by the California Legislature for its Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has awarded funds to four organizations to support efforts to reduce wolf-livestock conflict. With gray wolves naturally returning to California over the last 15 years, ranchers in several regions are encountering new challenges and these funds help strengthen the on-the-ground efforts to protect livestock while supporting the recovery of the species.
** The California Bountiful Foundation – supported by the California Farm Bureau – will collaborate closely with CDFW to reimburse livestock producers who suffer confirmed or probable wolf attacks on livestock. The foundation will also provide additional support, such as education, outreach, and equipment, to livestock producers in counties affected by wolves.
** The Sierra Valley Resource Conservation District will support livestock producers utilizing approved hazing techniques on gray wolves. Efforts will include providing outreach, training, and equipment that will help producers detect wolf presence. It will also study the use of electronic cattle ear tags that can potentially alert livestock producers to wolf conflict by sensing and reporting abnormal cattle movement or behaviors.
** The Honey Lake Valley Resource Conservation District will deliver educational and technical assistance programs to help eligible livestock producers implement hazing and deterrence strategies. It may also provide producers with approved hazing equipment.
** Working Circle will provide outreach to livestock producers geared toward reducing cattle vulnerability to wolf depredation through herd management and stockmanship. Working Circle will conduct workshops and work directly with interested producers to assess and reduce depredation risks on specific properties.
“CDFW deeply values its partners and looks forward to continued collaboration with these organizations to help reduce wolf-livestock conflicts, support California’s livestock producers and manage the recovery of wolves in California,” said CDFW Director Meghan Hertel. “We have heard clearly from ranchers how hard the return of wolves has been on their livelihoods – not just financially, but in the day-to-day mental and physical toll of managing this animal. These programs are meant to offer support and more tools to the people most affected by the return of gray wolves to the state.”
As the gray wolf population continues to recover in California, CDFW will continue to work with partners to reduce the impacts of wolf presence on livestock. Reimbursement for livestock depredations and the use of non-lethal deterrent tools and hazing are important parts of this work.
Tools such as fladry, radio-activated guard devices and Foxlights have been used to deter wolves in California. Increased human presence, including range-riding, and the use of aerial drones and other less-than-lethal hazing have also helped deter wolves from livestock.
For more information about gray wolves and the Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program, please see CDFW's gray wolf web page.
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Media Contact:
Alicia de la Garza, CDFW Communications, (916) 754-7237