Minnesota ranchers say compensation for wolf attacks isn't enough

Roaming wolf populations throughout the state have been preying on young cattle, even before a recent U.S. district court ruling that placed the grey wolf back on the endangered species list. Dan Stark, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources large carnivore specialist, said the state has annually recorded an average of 80 farms with verified, documented wolf attacks on cattle. Compensation in the state equates to approximately $100,000 a year for claims. These documented cases require investigation by conservation officers that can result in compensation for cattle verified to have been dispatched by wolves, as well as state and federal trapping of the offending animals. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is in charge of compensation following investigation based on market evaluation. Some ranchers suggest the standards that allow them to take action or receive compensation were too strict, and the compensation is too low. "It's about 1 percent. It's terrible, absolutely terrible what they compensate for," said Danny Wiese of Flying W Ranch in rural Pequot Lakes, who said he has lost six to nine cows over the past year to wolves. "We have a lot of cattle that are bit up or tore up and they might die a day or two later. They won't compensate for the ones that are bit up. Greg Leverington of rural Pine River is also a rancher who has had run-ins with wolves. "I've had instances where I've had wolves wake us up at 3 a.m., obviously chasing cattle," Leverington said. "Wolves work in packs. They will send out two or three to chase calves until they can't hardly run anymore. If for some reason they don't get them pulled down, they will run them until they are so exhausted they are going to die. Certain members of the DNR will tell you that doesn't meet the criteria of a wolf kill."...more