Effective January 1, 2016, the Livestock Protection Program will provide verification and mitigation of wolf and coyote attacks on cattle, dairy cows and sheep in B.C. All other predation issues will continue to be handled by the Conservation Officer Service.

PROGRAM PURPOSE & GOALS

The Livestock Protection Program (LPP) will provide verification and mitigation services to cattle and sheep producers for injury, harassment or death loss caused by wolves and coyotes.

Program Goals are to:

• Raise awareness of Best Management Practices to minimize predation;
• Deliver services that mitigate problem predators;
• Reduce the economic impact of predation on livestock owners;
• Generate data, information and learning opportunities to enable effective management of all resources and continuous improvement, and
• Assist with the compensation of verified livestock losses caused by predators.

ELIGIBILITY

All producers who raise beef, dairy and sheep in B.C. are eligible for assistance under the program.

PREVENTION & EDUCATION

Adoption of Best Management Practices (BMPs) is an eligibility requirement for participation in the program. The LPP may withhold mitigation in cases where there is a lack of effort to implement appropriate BMPs.

The LPP also recognizes that BMPs are tools that can, but will not always, eliminate the problem. A variety of BMPs are available to allow livestock owners the ability to implement tools that will work best for their individual operation or specific site needs.

BMP Guide

HOW IT WORKS...

Upon discovery of a suspected predator attack on your livestock, call the toll free LPP line to initiate a claim.

1.844.852.5788

VERIFICATION

Wherever possible, the program aims to inspect and verify a predator kill within 36 hours of being found, and mitigation measures initiated within 24-48 hours of positive verification of predation.

Self Verification

Livestock producers who have completed the Verification Training Course offered by the CO Service can self-verify predator attacks by completing the Verification/Compensation Request Form .  A $150 self-verification fee will be issued by the LPP to self-verifiers once a verification form has been submitted.

Verification by Wildlife Specialist

For livestock owners who cannot self-verify, a Wildlife Specialist will be dispatched to conduct an on-site verification of the predator attack.

• verification reports will be reviewed by the LPP coordinator prior to proceeding with mitigation.
• LPP coordinator will review the reported BMPs employed by the livestock producer, and make a final decision about whether additional prevention measures need to be implemented.

NOTE: If the LPP coordinator is not satisfied that sufficient measures have been implemented, claims for verification, mitigation and compensation may be denied.

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COMPENSATION

Once verification has been completed, either by self-verification or by a Wildlife Specialist, and the review indicates that predation is the result of a wolf or coyote attack, the verification/compensation request will be forwarded to the Business Risk Management Branch of the BC Ministry to initiate a compensation claim payment.

Compensation will be provided based on age of animals involved and market value.

Verification forms and compensation claims for all other wildlife (bear, cougar, dogs, etc.) will be reviewed and submitted by the CO service.

MITIGATION

Upon approved verification of a wolf or coyote attack, the LPP coordinator will dispatch a wildlife specialist to initiate mitigation activities.

The Wildlife Specialist will report to the LPP coordinator outlining mitigation activities completed.

Wherever possible, mitigation will begin within 24-48 hours of verified wolf/coyote attack.

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REVIEW

The LPP Coordinator is responsible for reviewing the management practices utilized on the farm or ranch, and to discuss any recommendations with the livestock owner.

Best Management Practice guidelines for cattle and sheep producers will be shared with livestock owners to raise awareness of beneficial management practices that may help to avoid future wildlife predation in their operation.