Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Landscape Use And Movements Of Wolves In Relation To Livestock In A Wildland–Agriculture Matrix, Andreas S. Chavez, Eric M. Gese

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Wolves (Canis lupus) have expanded their distribution into areas of the midwest United States that have not had wolves for several decades. With recolonization of wolves into agricultural areas, there is increasing concern of wolf–livestock conflicts. To assess the risk wolves may pose to livestock, we initiated a 3-year study investigating the activity patterns, movements, habitat use, visitation to livestock pastures by wolves, and the occurrence of depredation events in an agricultural–wildland matrix in northwestern Minnesota, USA. From June 1997 to November 1999, we captured 23 wolves, including pups, from 3 packs; we radio-collared 16 of these wolves. …