Predator Compensation 2015 to 2018

South Saskatchewan Region

DECEMBER 2019

Environment and Parks, Government of Alberta Published December 2019 SSR Predator Compensation 2015 to 2018: South Saskatchewan Region Photo Credit: Unknown ISBN 978-1-4601-4640-8 © Government of Alberta 2019 This document is made available under the Open Government Licence – Alberta (https://open.alberta.ca/licence).

2 SSR Predator Compensation 2015 to 2018 Table of Contents

Introduction ...... 5 Study Area ...... 7 Methodology ...... 7 Results ...... 8 Predator Claims by District ...... 8 Predator Claims by Region ...... 14 Conclusion ...... 18

SSR Predator Compensation 2015 - 2018 3 List of Figures

Figure 1. SSR Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Districts ...... 6 Figure 2. Sundre-Olds Compensation Claims ...... 8 Figure 3. Cochrane – Canmore Compensation Claims ...... 9 Figure 4. High River Compensation Claims ...... 10 Figure 5. Claresholm Compensation Claims ...... 11 Figure 6. Blairmore Compensation Claims ...... 12 Figure 7. Pincher Creek Compensation Claims ...... 13 Figure 8. Cardston Compensation Claims ...... 14 Figure 9. SSR Compensation Claims ...... 15 Figure 10. SSR Predator specific annual Compensation Claims ...... 16 Figure 11. SSR Predator / prey Compensation Claims ...... 17 Figure 12. SSR Prey specific District Compensation Claims…...……………………………………17

Figure 13. SSR Paid Compensation Claims…………………………………………………………...18

4 SSR Predator Compensation 2015 to 2018 Introduction

The Wildlife Predator Compensation Program provides compensation to ranchers whose livestock are killed or injured by wildlife predators. Compensation is covered for cattle, bison, sheep, swine and goats. It does not cover horses, donkeys, or exotic animals such as llamas, alpacas or wild boar. The program covers those animals attacked by wolves, grizzly bears, black bears, cougars and eagles. Coyotes and other wildlife are not included. This Predation Summary includes those Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Districts that fall within the South Saskatchewan region (SSR) (Figure1).

The costs of veterinary care and medication associated with the incident or loss of an animal is compensated up to the value of the animal based on the average commercial value for the type and class of livestock on the day it was killed. Incidents where predators are feeding on dead livestock that dies of disease or other causes than predation are not compensated.

Funding for the Wildlife Predator Compensation Program comes from dedicated revenue from the sale of recreational hunting and fishing licences in Alberta and from the federal government.

SSR Predator Compensation 2015 - 2018 5

Figure 1. SSR Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Districts

6 SSR Predator Compensation 2015 to 2018 Study Area

The SSR study area includes the South Saskatchewan and Milk River basins. The region includes multiple cities, towns and villages, First Nations Reserves and numerous Parks and Protected areas. It accounts for 1.6 million people or 45% of the total population of Alberta. The SSR has a diversified economy that includes strong energy, agricultural, manufacturing, tourism and forestry sectors and a fast developing renewable energy industry.

The SSR includes six Natural regions including Grassland, Parkland, Foothills and Rocky Mountains. This diverse landscape extending eastwards from the Rocky Mountains to forested foothills to the prairies provides habitat for numerous fish, bird and plant species. Mammals such as moose, deer, elk, pronghorn, wolves, grizzly and black bears and cougars all exist within the SSR. The existence of large carnivores and domestic livestock, particularly in the western portion of the region, can result in livestock predation on both private and public lands.

Methodology

Predator compensation claims were obtained from Government of Alberta (GOA) Wildlife Predator Compensation Claim information complied annually between 2015 and 2018. In total 593 claims were reviewed and analyzed. Only Confirmed and Probable claims were included for this report; this included livestock injured or killed by the relevant predators. Claims were summarized by Fish and Wildlife Enforcement District, predator / prey species and number of domestic animals involved. Those Districts that lie within the SSR were included. Spatial and temporal information was also included for each Claim. Compensation claims were separated into Primary and Secondary claims. Primary claims include occurrences where a single animal or the first of multiple animals were attacked. Secondary claims identify multiple animals attacked during the same incident. For example, if a predator killed 5 sheep, a Primary claim would represent the first animal killed and Secondary claims would be applied to the other 4 sheep killed. Primary claims reflect the number of individual occurrences that may have occurred while Secondary claims reflect the total number of animals involved. Depending on the analysis, Primary and Secondary claims were combined or analyzed separately. In the case of monies paid out for compensation, dollar values expressed include both Primary and Secondary claims (i.e. all animals involved).

SSR Predator Compensation 2015 - 2018 7 Results District Compensation Claims

Sundre-Olds District had 18 Primary Claims approved between 2015 and 2018 (Figure 2). Cougars were the primary predator, accounting for 39% (7 of 18 Primary Claims). Wolves were involved in 28% (5 of 18) followed by Bears (22% or 4 of 18), grizzly bear (6% or 1 of 18) and black bear (6% or 1 of 18). Thirty-eight livestock animals were involved including domestic sheep (71% or 27 of 38 animals), cattle (26% or 10 of 38 animals) and goats (3% or 1 of 38). A cougar killed 18 sheep in one incident.

7 Grizzly Bear Wolf 6 Cougar Bear Black bear 5

4

3

2

1

0 2015 2016 2017 2018

Figure 2. Sundre-Olds Primary Compensation Claims (N=18)

There has been $14,018 paid out in compensation (Primary and Secondary claims) in this District between 2015 and 2018.

8 SSR Predator Compensation 2015 to 2018 Cochrane/ Canmore District had 45 Primary Claims approved between 2015 and 2018 (Figure 3). Predator species were equally split between wolves (38% or 17 of 45), grizzly bears (31% or 14 of 45) and cougars (29% or 13 of 45).Ninety-six livestock animals were involved. The majority of these depredation events have been on domestic cattle (50 of 96 animals or 52%). Sheep were a close second (45 of 96 or 47%) along with 1 goat (1 of 96 or 1%). There was a significant increase in 2018 in the number of approved claims; it is not clear what caused this increase.

30 Grizzly Bear 25 Wolf Cougar 20 Unknown

15

10

5

0 2015 2016 2017 2018

Figure 3. Cochrane Primary Compensation Claims (N= 45)

There has been $72,439 paid out in compensation (Primary and Secondary claims) in this District between 2015 and 2018.

SSR Predator Compensation 2015 - 2018 9 High River District had 47 Primary Claims approved between 2015 and 2018 (Figure 4). Wolves were involved in 49% (23 of 47) of the incidents followed by grizzly bears (23% or 11 of 47); both species prey were solely cattle. Cougars (17% or 8 of 47) were responsible for both the sheep and goat predations. There was one calf killed by an eagle in 2015. There were 62 livestock animals involved. Seventy-nine percent (49 of 62) of depredation involved cattle. Sheep were involved in 16% (10 of 62) along with 3 goats (5%).

25

20

15

10

5

0 2015 2016 2017 2018

Grizzly Bear Wolf Black Bear Cougar Bear Eagle

Figure 4. High River Primary Compensation Claims (N= 47)

There has been $78,025 paid out in compensation (Primary and Secondary claims) in this District between 2015 and 2018.

10 SSR Predator Compensation 2015 to 2018

There were 46 Primary Claims approved in the Claresholm District between 2015 and 2018 (Figure 5). Grizzly bears were involved in 59% (27 of 46) of the 49 incidents involving cattle followed by unknown bear (15% or 7 of 46), black bear (11% or 5 of 46) and wolves (11% or 5 of 46). Cougars (7% or 3 of 46) were responsible for all of the sheep predations. Predation events have been increasing annually since 2015. There were 60 livestock animals involved. Eighty-two percent (49 of 60) of depredation involved cattle. Sheep were involved in 18% (11 of 60).

20 Grizzly Bear Wolf 18 Black Bear Cougar 16 Bear 14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0 2015 2016 2017 2018

Figure 5. Claresholm Primary Compensation Claims (N=46)

There has been $70,069 paid out in compensation (Primary and Secondary claims) in this District between 2015 and 2018.

SSR Predator Compensation 2015 - 2018 11

Blairmore District had 37 Primary Claims approved between 2015 and 2018 (Figure 6). Grizzly bears were involved in 62% (23 of 37) of the incidents followed by wolves (30% or 11 of 37); bears (5% or 2 of 37) and black bear (3% or 1 of 37). There were 37 livestock animals involved, all of them cattle.

12 Grizzly Bear Wolf 10 Black Bear Bear

8

6

4

2

0 2015 2016 2017 2018

Figure 6. Blairmore Primary Compensation Claims (N=37)

There has been $57,074 paid out in compensation (Primary and Secondary claims) in this District between 2015 and 2018.

12 SSR Predator Compensation 2015 to 2018 Pincher Creek District had 110 Primary Claims approved between 2015 and 2018 (Figure 7). Grizzly bears were involved in 69% (76 of 110) of the incidents followed by wolves (19% or 21 of 110), bear (7% or 8 of 110), black bear (1% or 1 of 110) and cougar (1% or 1 of 110). There were 124 livestock animals involved. Ninety-two percent (114 of 124) of depredation involved cattle. Sheep were involved in 8% of incidents (10 of 124); grizzly bears were responsible for 6 of them followed by cougars (4).

50 Grizzly Bear 45 Wolf 40 Black Bear Cougar 35 Bear 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 2015 2016 2017 2018

Figure 7. Pincher Creek Primary Compensation Claims (N=110)

There has been $176,959 paid out in compensation (Primary and Secondary claims) in this District between 2015 and 2018.

Cardston District had 46 Primary Claims approved between 2015 and 2018 (Figure 8). Grizzly bears were involved in 67% (31 of 46) of the incidents followed by wolves (20% or 9 of 46), cougars (4% or 2 of 46), black bears (4% or 2 of 46) and eagles (2% or 1 of 46). There were 82 livestock animals involved. Fifty-two percent of depredation (43 of 82) involved sheep. Grizzly bears were responsible for 88% (38 of 43) of sheep claims which is unique in the Region where cougars are typically responsible for most sheep depredation. Cattle were involved in 48% of incidents (39 of 82).

SSR Predator Compensation 2015 - 2018 13 18 Grizzly Bear 16 Wolf 14 Black Bear Cougar 12 Bear 10 Eagle 8

6 4 2 0 2015 2016 2017 2018

Figure 8. Cardston Primary Compensation Claims (N=46)

There has been $55,287 paid out in compensation (Primary and Secondary claims) in this District between 2015 and 2018.

Regional Compensation Claims

The 7 Districts that fall within SSR accounted for 349 Primary Claims approved between 2015 and 2018 (Figure 9). Grizzly bears were involved in 182 (52%) of all depredation incidents. Wolves (26% or 91 of 349), cougars (11% or 37 of 349), bears (7% or 24 of 349), black bears (3% or 12 of 349), eagles (1% or 2 of 349 and unknown (1% or 2 of 349). There were a total of 493 livestock animals involved. Seventy-one percent of depredation (348 of 493) involved cattle. Sheep were involved in 28% of incidents (140 of 82) while goats accounted for 1% (5 of 493) of all incidents.

14 SSR Predator Compensation 2015 to 2018

Figure 9. SSR Compensation Claims (Primary and Secondary) (N=493)

SSR Predator Compensation 2015 - 2018 15 for the other incidents. While grizzly bear incidents occurred throughout the Region, they are certainly more prevalent in the southern part of the region, particularly in the Pincher Creek area. Cougars on the other hand had more claims in the northern half of the Region. Wolf activity was relatively constant up and down the eastern slopes. There was an increase in the number of claims approved in 2018 for grizzly bears, wolves and cougars (Figure 10).

60

50

40

30

20

10

0 2015 2016 2017 2018

Grizzly Bear Wolf Cougar Unknown Black Bear Eagle Bear

Figure 10. SSR predator specific annual Primary Compensation Claims (may include multiple animals per claim) (N=349)

Generally, grizzly bears claims were associated with cattle while cougar claims were associated with sheep (Figure 11). The Cardston District does experience greater grizzly bear predation on sheep; 38 incidents as compared to 4 from cougars.

All Districts, with the exception of Blairmore, experienced both cattle and sheep depredation (Figure 12). The percentage of cattle versus sheep incidents varied considerably from District to District. For example, cattle were the prime prey in the Blairmore (100%) and Pincher Creek Districts (92%). Cochrane and Cardston experienced almost as many sheep related incidents as they did cattle. The majority of sheep related predation involved multiple animals, ranging from 2 to 18 animals in a particular incident. It was common for cougars and grizzly bears to kill or injure multiple sheep during a single incident

16 SSR Predator Compensation 2015 to 2018 250 Cattle 200 Sheep Goats 150

100

50

0 Grizzly Wolf Cougar Bear Black Unknown Eagle Bear Bear

Figure 11. SSR predator / prey Compensation Claims (Primary and Secondary) (N=493)

140 120 Cattle Sheep 100 Goats 80 60 40 20 0

Figure 12. SSR prey specific District Compensation Claims (Primary and Secondary) (N=493)

Grizzly bears and cougars in the SSR represent a significant portion of the compensation claims approved provincially. Between 2015 and 2018, 80% (237 of 297) of all provincial grizzly bear

SSR Predator Compensation 2015 - 2018 17 claims and 71% (99 of 139) of all provincial cougar claims originated within SSR. Conversely, only 17% (111 of 663) of wolf related compensation claims were from the SSR. Wolves are the species with the largest number of claims in the province (663), most of those occurring in northern Alberta.

There has been $523,871 paid out in compensation (Primary and Secondary claims) for SSR Districts between 2015 and 2018. The Pincher Creek District has accounted for a third of that compensation (Figure13). Provincially, SSR has 39% of the total provincial predator compensation (Primary and Secondary claims) of $1,352,800.

$176,959

$78,025 $72,439 $70,069 $57,074 $55,287

$14,018

Pincher High River Cochrane Claresholm Blairmore Cardston Sundre Olds Creek

Figure 13. SSR Paid Compensation Claims

Conclusion

The Wildlife Predator Compensation Claim program is an important tool to allow landowners and wildlife the ability to share the same landscape. That landscape is a mix of both private and public land being utilized by both landowners for livestock grazing opportunities and as critical habitat for large predators. The WPCC program recognizes the importance of assisting landowners who experience depredation events while balancing the needs of managing for sustainable wildlife populations.

18 SSR Predator Compensation 2015 to 2018

SSR Predator Compensation 2015 - 2018 19