Information collected under Manitoba’s Wildlife Damage Compensation Program indicates there are about 1,900 claims for predator attacks on livestock in Manitoba annually. Of these, coyotes are identified as the predator responsible in about 75% of the claims, wolves in about 20%, and black bears, cougars and foxes, in the remaining 5%. Beef calves under 300 pounds account for about 50% of the damage claims. While it is impossible to prevent all predator attacks on livestock, producers are encouraged to utilize farming practices that will lower the risk of predator attacks for their operations.
General Farm Practices to Reduce Risk
- Monitor livestock frequently (daily, if possible) to spot problems immediately and deal with them before they become critical.
- Maintain calving and lambing facilities near buildings where there is human activity; some farmers have reported success in parking a farm vehicle next to the calving/lambing area and moving it regularly within that general area.
- Use pens to house livestock at night and locate them away from protective cover like shrubs, trees or tall grasses (for example, 50 metres for bears; 400 metres for cougars).
- Alter the timing of calving and lambing seasons to reduce risks for young animals. Shorten the birth cycle to reduce the amount of time vulnerable newborns are on the landscape (i.e. in one pulse, rather than extended over many weeks). Try to match the timing of calving/lambing with the timing of local wild ungulate births. If vulnerable natural prey is more abundant when calves/lambs arrive, carnivores may be less likely to switch from natural prey to livestock.
- Avoid leaving livestock unattended in high-risk areas (for example, in heavy brush, near waterways, and in hilly terrain).
- Store and dispose of after-birth and deadstock in a manner that prevents predators from accessing these attractants.
- Secure or remove any other potential attractants on the farm to prevent predators from investigating/frequenting the area. Attractants include human food, pet food, garbage/compost, and junk piles that can provide protective cover for prey animals that predators like to consume.
- If you haven’t had issues with livestock predation, don’t remove the predators in your area. Their removal will allow other predators into the area that may have a greater tendency to attack livestock.
Non-Lethal Predator Control
Electric Fencing
Electric fences are a very successful risk reduction tool. Options include traditional electric fencing, modifying existing fencing to become electrified, and turbo-fladry (see Scaring Devices and Repellents below). Contact a knowledgeable electric fencing supplier for detailed options for electric fencing systems.
Guardian Animals
Guardian animals, including dogs, donkeys and llamas, can provide effective protection of livestock from predator attacks. These animals stay with the livestock to provide protection 24 hours a day.
Guardian dogs are particularly recommended, and in multiples of two (for their own protection). They should be chosen based upon where you keep your livestock and what predators are common in the area. These dogs must be chosen from breeds that have been bred for this purpose, and be properly trained to bond with, and protect, livestock.
Donkeys are also useful for livestock protection, but are not as effective as dogs. Donkeys are known to be inherently aggressive toward canids, such as coyotes and wolves, but they don’t have any protective instincts toward livestock. This could leave livestock vulnerable to predation by black bears or cougars. If you do choose to use donkeys, the jenny or gelded jacks are best for this purpose.
Keep in mind that some of the costs for buying and maintaining guardian animals are tax deductible.
Scaring Devices and Repellents
The use of scaring devices and repellents are short-term solutions because predators will quickly become accustomed to them. However, they can be useful as an interim measure until longer-term methods can be put into use. Noise-makers (such as scare cannons, radios, and motion-detecting noise devices) have some limited success when used in combination with visual deterrents (such as lights and scarecrows).
The use of fladry, and particularly turbo-fladry (electrified fladry), has been used successfully for the protection of livestock from wolf predation (not recommended for protection from coyote predation). Fladry is the suspension of flags around the perimeter of an area to be protected. Turbo-fladry is the installation of fladry on an electric fence wire, which can increase this method’s effectiveness. To install turbo-fladry (or fladry), suspend flags on a wire installed at a height of 60 centimetres (cm) (about nose-height for a wolf) and about 60 cm outside of existing livestock fencing (to prevent livestock from consuming the flags). Use a maximum spacing of 45 cm between flags. Hang red (or orange) flags 8 cm wide by 45 cm long, so that the bottom of the flag is 10-15 cm above the ground. The fladry waving in the wind acts as a psychological barrier for the wolves. The electrified wire reinforces the psychological barrier if the wolves become bolder.
Chemical repellents have shown limited success at preventing predator attacks. Cost is a concern, since many are expensive to buy and they must be applied frequently to continue their effect.
Lethal Predator Control
Lethal methods of removing predators can include the use of firearms and trapping devices; use of poison is prohibited. Lethal control is not an option for cougar conflict management because this species cannot be legally killed in Manitoba.
Trapping
Producers experiencing livestock attacks by coyotes, wolves or foxes are encouraged to work proactively with a licensed trapper. Licensed trappers are able to harvest these species during the open regulated trapping seasons. The most common devices used are leg-hold traps and power snares. If traps are being set, you should let your neighbours know where and when, so they can keep their pets away from those areas. Be aware that restrictions are in place regarding the use of deadstock for bait in order to reduce the spread of disease. For more details on trapping, see the provincial Trapping Guide.
Producers who would like to work proactively with a predator trapper in their area, and aren’t aware of any potential trappers to contact, are encouraged to ask for recommendations by contacting the Manitoba Trappers Association (204-739-2624) or a conservation officer in their local district office. Its best to contact a predator trapper before the trapping season begins so the trapper can familiarize him/herself with your area and livestock operations.
Hunting
Coyotes and wolves can be hunted by licensed hunters using predator calls (including electronic calls). The use of firearms must comply with federal legislation and local municipal bylaws. Be aware that restrictions are in place regarding the use of deadstock for bait in order to reduce the spread of disease. For more details on hunting, see the provincial Hunting Guide.
Protection of Property
Subsection 46(1) of The Wildlife Act states “that a person may kill any wildlife, other than a moose, caribou, cougar, deer, antelope, elk or game bird, on their own land if they are doing it to defend or preserve their own property.” This only entitles landowners to shoot or trap problem wildlife (except those mentioned above) without a permit, without first reporting it to a conservation officer, and without following the normal season restrictions that apply to hunting and trapping. This provision is restricted to the land owned by the individual and does not include leased Crown land or rented private land. A person who kills any species of wild animal to defend or preserve property, must – under subsection 46(2) of The Wildlife Act – report the incident to a conservation officer within 10 days.
Producers whose livestock are attacked on land that they lease or rent may contact a conservation officer to request that a special permit be issued to authorize the producer (or their designate) to lethally remove the attacking predator(s).
Do Not Use Poison
Be aware that under The Wildlife Act, no person shall possess poison or a poison device for the purpose of hunting, trapping, taking or killing a wild animal.
Wildlife Damage Compensation Program
Compensation for livestock injured or killed by bears, coyotes, cougars, foxes and wolves is available from the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) under the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program. Producers are advised to contact the nearest MASC office for details; or go to the MASC website.
Producers who suspect they have lost livestock to wildlife predation, but are unable to provide evidence that allows them to access funding under the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program, are encouraged to report their situation to a conservation officer in the local district office. Conservation officers may be able to provide additional information to assist with the situation.
Problem Predator Removal Program
Manitoba’s Problem Predator Removal Program assists with the removal of predators (coyote, wolf or fox) that have attacked livestock or that pose an increased risk to human safety. The program is not for general predator population reduction. Manitoba provides annual funding to the Manitoba Trappers Association for administration and delivery of this program.
Producers whose livestock have been attacked by a predator and who have accessed the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program (see above), may then contact the Manitoba Trappers Association (204-739-2624) to request that a predator trapper be deployed to remove the problem predator(s) in their area.
Predator trappers who are interested in working under the program are encouraged to contact the Manitoba Trappers Association for more information on how to become involved.
Domestic and Feral Dogs
Domestic and feral dogs are not considered wildlife under The Wildlife Act. As a livestock owner, you will not receive compensation for losses caused by domestic or feral dog attacks.
It is important for producers to recognize what predators are impacting their livestock because wild predators are sometimes blamed for livestock damage that was actually caused by domestic and feral dogs.
Each predator tends to attack prey differently. Unlike other species, domestic and feral dogs will typically bite and slash numerous parts of their prey over much of the body, rather than attack one specific part. While domestic dogs rarely eat any livestock they have killed, feral dogs will sometimes do so. Identifying tracks and droppings may tell producers whether livestock has been attacked by dogs or by other predators.
If it’s clear that dogs have attacked your livestock, consider the following options:
- Ask your neighbours to control their pets.
- Contact your local municipal office to check on any bylaws covering off-leash pets.
- Ask for a municipal animal control officer to assist with the situation.
Livestock Predation Protection Working Group
Established in 2013, the Livestock Predation Protection Working Group is working to reduce the risk of livestock predation in Manitoba. Membership includes representatives from Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development (co-chair), Manitoba Beef Producers (co-chair), Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Manitoba Sheep Association, Manitoba Trappers Association, and Manitoba Goat Association.
The mandate for the working group includes providing recommendations to government and stakeholders regarding options, strategies, and solutions for livestock predation protection.