The state’s budget allocated $3 million to fund the program, which includes three areas of assistance for producers. Ranchers have been able to apply for funds from two of the areas: fair market value compensation for confirmed and probable livestock loss from wolves, and funding for deploying non-lethal deterrents to reduce wolf presence.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has processed 41 applications so far and is in the process of paying out $750,509.02 to producers seeking compensation.
The third area of the program is now open for producers, which will compensate for indirect losses incurred from wolves. “Ranchers with livestock operations in known wolf pack territories in northern California may also suffer indirect economic impacts beyond the direct economic impacts of livestock killed or injured by wolves,” CDFW said in a news release.
They continued, “Livestock production losses associated with wolf-induced stress may include reduced calf weight gains and lower pregnancy rates.”
Ranchers may now apply to the third prong of the program to receive compensation for indirect losses incurred on or after Sept. 23, 2021. For assistance in applying for funds, contact CDFW at wolfprogram@wildlife.ca.gov. CDFW held three workshops this spring to help ranchers navigate the application process, and additional workshops are planned for the future. More information can be found at wildlife.ca.gov.
“Through our own growing management experience and learning from other states, we recognize that wolves may have both direct and indirect economic impacts on ranchers in areas where resident wolf packs are present in California,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham.
“We’re grateful to the ranching community and agricultural groups for their continued partnership on wolf management issues,” she continued. “We will continue working together to better understand wolf-livestock interactions.”
CDFW said the compensation program is one of several evolving strategies to mitigate wolf-livestock conflicts in the state. Other management tools include using satellite collars, deploying non-lethal deterrents, and working with producers and industry organizations. — Anna Miller, WLJ managing editor
