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The following is the first in a series of columns aimed at providing information to our readers about the conflicts that can develop between wildlife and humans. We will look at all aspects of this fascinating topic, including preventative actions that you can take to minimize potential problems with wildlife, the best known remedies available for those who encounter wildlife on and off the job and what to do if you suffer property damage by wildlife. Generally, we will try to find solutions to problems with wildlife. I am proud to have been a game warden in Alberta for 18 years – a Regional Problem Wildlife Specialist for the past four. I have always pondered the true nature of the role of a Fish and Wildlife officer. I believe most would say our role is simply to police hunting and fishing rules and regulations, but if you ask any officer in uniform today, they will tell you that our days are filled more with solving human/wildlife conflicts than conducting compliance checks. Those same officers will tell you that it is that diversity that is the most appealing part of the job. Sure, the Fort Mac guys have had their fill of trapping bears by the first week of June, but when the new season roles around next year they are ready to do it all over again. I like the fact that when I get to work I might go from conducting a boat patrol to relocating a nuisance bear all in the same day. Predators and livestock producers have been at odds for as long as humans have been keeping animals. Throughout Alberta’s history producers and government have done their best to curtail losses to predators. Wolves, for example, have been hunted, trapped and poisoned to a population low of approximately 500 animals in the 1920s. Today’s management strategies strive for co-existence with managed predator populations within tolerances for livestock losses. To assist in having producers tolerate some livestock losses, the Alberta Fish and Wildlife Division administers the Wildlife Predator Compensation Program, which pays producers of beef, sheep, goats, pigs and bison for confirmed losses to black bear, grizzly bear, cougar, wolf and eagle. The program kicks into gear once a producer reports a predator loss to their local Fish and Wildlife office. The sooner the producer makes the call the better. In turn, our officers will respond as soon as practicable. If the officer is unable to respond immediately, the producer may be directed to cover the carcass with a tarp to prevent further scavenging and to preserve evidence of the attack. This is valuable information for the investigator who is responsible for determining if a predator is responsible for the attack and, if so, the species of predator involved. All predators, whether it is a bear, wolf or cougar, have preferred methods for attacking their prey. Fish and Wildlife officers are trained to identify those patterns and to determine the predator responsible for the attack. It is vital that the investigating officer sees as much of the remaining carcass as possible to determine if the animal was actually killed by a predator or scavenged upon after it died of other causes. The hide on the animal will be skinned back to expose tooth marks and scratches. The officer will inspect for hemorrhaging around the wounds that will indicate whether or not the animal was alive when the wounds were inflicted. Spaces between the tooth marks can be measured to help determine the predator responsible. The area in the vicinity of the kill site will be inspected for signs of struggle and scats or tracks. If the investigation reveals a confirmed loss to a qualifying predator (for example, losses to coyotes are not paid) the officer will fill out a compensation claim form and submit it, along with photographs and a report of his investigation, to his or her Regional Problem Wildlife Specialist (RPWS). The RPWS reviews the claim for thoroughness and accuracy and if he agrees with the assessment and no other investigation is required, will forward it to the Provincial Problem Wildlife Coordinator (PPWC) in Edmonton headquarters. The PPWC will examine local livestock marketing boards for current market value of the lost animal and send a cheque for 100 per cent of the value of the killed livestock to the producer.
In
some
instances
there
may
be
insufficient
evidence
to
accurately
determine
if
the
livestock
died
as
a
result
of
a
predatory
attack.
If
the
producer
suffers
another
loss
that
is
a
confirmed
predator
kill
within
30
days,
he
may
receive
compensation
for
that
animal
as
well
at
50
per
cent
market
value
of
the
unconfirmed
kill.
In
the
event
that
the
investigating
officer
and
the
producer
are
not
in
agreement
with
the
outcome
of
an
investigation,
the
decision
may
be
taken
to
an
appeal
board
made
up
of
appointed
members
of
the
livestock
community,
the
PPWC
and
a
member
of
Alberta
Agriculture,
Food
and
Rural
Development.
The
cost
of
the
program
varies
from
year
to
year.
Total
Claims
Received
179
$113,804.42
Denied
14
Total:$97,369.92 The money used to pay for the program comes from hunting licence sales, the WISE Foundation and the Alberta Conservation Association.
Neil
Brad
is
a
member
of
the
Alberta
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