The Washington State University study was the first scientific study to evaluate livestock depredation correlation with wolf mortality after wolves were de-listed from Endangered Species in 2012.
Predator control and sport hunting are often used to reduce predator populations and livestock depredations, – but the efficacy of lethal control has rarely been tested. The study found that the number of livestock depredated the following year was positively, not negatively, associated with the number of wolves killed the previous year. Livestock depradation only decreases with anual wolf kill of 25% of wolf population. However, wolf mortality rates from hunting exceeding 25% are unsustainable over the long term.
The Washington State University study was the first scientific study to evaluate livestock depredation correlation with wolf mortality after wolves were de-listed from Endangered Species in 2012.
Predator control and sport hunting are often used to reduce predator populations and livestock depredations, – but the efficacy of lethal control has rarely been tested. The study found that the number of livestock depredated the following year was positively, not negatively, associated with the number of wolves killed the previous year. Livestock depradation only decreases with anual wolf kill of 25% of wolf population. However, wolf mortality rates from hunting exceeding 25% are unsustainable over the long term.
Read the original study from the link above.