No. 8/2005
THE COSTS AND BENEFITS OF ANIMAL PREDATION:
AN ANALYSIS OF SCANDINAVIAN
WOLF
RE-COLONIZATION
Anders Skonhoft
Abstract:
After coming close to extinction, the grey wolf (Canis lupus) has re-colonized
Scandinavia during the last two decades. The current population numbers some
100–120 individuals, and is distributed in small packs along the Swedish–Norwegian
border. However, with wolf re-colonization, several conflicts have arisen.
One conflict is due to wolf predation on livestock, especially sheep and
reindeer. Another is predation on wild ungulates. As the wolves have shown
a strong preference for moose (Alces alces) in this respect, a smaller moose
population is available for game hunting. The cost of increased moose predation
by wolves is examined using a two-step process. First, we analyse the costs
to landowners, comprising the loss of animals potentially available for hunting
less the reduction in browsing damage associated with a smaller moose population.
Second, we examine the problem from a broader point of view, where costs
external to landowners and local communities are included. By far the most
important cost here is damage related to collisions between moose and motor
vehicles.
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