What Killed My Animal?
The following is a basic outline and general examples of the predatory habits of Wolves on domestic livestock and pets
Wolf
Primarily a pack predator, wolves have one of the largest impacts on both domestic and wild prey species. This is due to the hunting technique and resulting damage to the local prey herd or population. Cattle and sheep being the primary domestic livestock targeted, domestic dogs, goats and on rare occasions horses have been known to be included in those preyed upon by wolves.
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Attack techniques are generally from the rear of the prey species while the prey is being chased. The general concept with wolves is that they will run their chosen prey and bite the hind quarters and surrounding soft tissue resulting in reduced mobility, trauma and blood loss. This method is what allows a pack of wolves (or individual) to prey upon species, including livestock, that are much larger than themselves. It may take wolves longer to kill a larger individual prey, but they will do so cautiously which will limit their chance of being injured themselves. With larger prey animals, and with larger packs of wolves, bites and trauma can be found to the face, head and lower sides of front quarters where multiple wolves were involved in bringing the prey down. Although missing tails on livestock can be an indication of wolf predation, it is less frequent than most people are led believe.
It is cautioned when investigating potential wolf predation (as with all predator investigations) to consider the prey not only by species but also by size/age. Example - "wolves primarily chase and bite the hind quarters". A day old beef calf is found dead and wolves are suspected. Keep in mind an adult wolf does not have to "run and chase" the calf in order fatigue it and bite the hind quarters in order to weaken it to the point that the wolf can kill it safely. In these circumstances a wolf may bite the small prey animals in a variety of places and still have the killing effect.
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Typical indications of wolf predation will include:
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Overall prey animal disturbance. Cattle and sheep herds will be heavily agitated, stirred up, run or chased throughout a pasture or pen. Herds will often be bunched up in fence corners or scattered throughout larger areas due to the chase style of predation prevalent to packs of wolves. Although this will vary somewhat on pack size, even individual wolves have been known to cause large disturbance among the prey.
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Often multiple individual livestock will be attacked and wounded while only one or two may be killed and eaten. Often livestock producers will notice evidence of predation in wounded animals prior to finding an animal dead. Part of this is due to the amount of consumption related to a pack of wolves and can vary depending on the terrain and brush cover over the area where livestock are located.
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Prey are not dragged or carried away from the site that they are killed besides the localized disturbance that takes place while feeding. An exception to this is during parts of the year while pups are present and meat is retrieved to them by the breeding pair.
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Prey are not covered or buried by wolves. Additionally, a carcass that is fed on by wolves is typically taken apart and spread across the immediate area. Often wolves will take portions, including bones and will sit or lay on higher ground nearby to feed.
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Similarly to other wild predators that prey on livestock, the majority of actual damage that is sustained during an attack is not realized until the hide is skinned back to show the bruising and tissue damage involved.
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When investigating predation on livestock and trying to differentiate between damage caused by wolves and that of coyotes, consider the difference between the damage caused by a Boarder Collie bite compared to being bitten by a large German Shepard.
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Larger prey will sustain what is often referred to as "scratch marks" on the hindquarters and soft tissues. In the case of wolves, these are in actuality "teeth rake" marks where the offending wolf is biting the prey animal and it's teeth are slipping off leaving observable rake marks around areas damaged during an attack. Wolves do not use claws during an attack.
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Wounded livestock at varying times of the year is not due to the adults training the pups. If a wolf had to train a pup to hunt and kill they would not tolerate the pup's presence within the pack.
Young calf, killed by wolves. Cattle producer observed two wolves near the calf at the time it was found. Note large amount of trauma with minimal damage visible on the outside of the hide.
Calf found alive and wounded was euthanized due to extent of injuries. Note the extent of damage that results from one or two bites
Calf found alive with large bite to hindquarter that actually had a portion bitten off.
Smaller calf found by Cattle producer alive and wounded but died from its injuries. This calf died of overall trauma and shock as the wounds were fresh when found and infection had not yet set in.
Large calf found on grazing tenure by cattle producer. This calf was attacked and bitten on the hindquarters but not killed outright. The amount of damage sustained and the time since the attack, this calf died of a combination of trauma and infection. Note the teeth rake marks and substantial damage under the hide; including the actual separation of the portions of the muscle tissue.
Remains of a yearling killed by wolves. Although little remains of actual tissue, signs of attack and trauma are still present.
Teeth rake marks on the outside of the hide are consistent with the attack patterns of wolves on a livestock animal of this size. Alone the teeth marks are only circumstantial but coupled with the bruising on the underside of the hide (at the same locations) it becomes clear that these bites took place while the animal was alive.
What little remained after a large pack of wolves killed and ate a large calf. Another example of some evidence remaining on what little is left over. Note areas of darker discoloration indicating the possibility of bruising over these areas of hide. This particular kill was still quite fresh which helped in the inspection. Older remains may not afford the same opportunity.
Rake marks from teeth of wolves during the attack located on the outside of hide from the hindquarters. Again, teeth marks, holes, bites or chewing are not evidence of attack on their own. Bruising or trauma must accompany the bites etc. to be definitive.
Although no real muscle tissue remains, the lower hock region of the two hindlegs still shows signs of trauma from bites sustained during the attack. Teeth bite and rake marks are present both directly over these areas of trauma that remain as well as on the hide that would have been higher up the leg.
In contrast, lower front leg hock areas show no sign of bite marks on the outside and no sign of trauma under the hide.
Brief example showing the split edge of the hide with contrasting areas, one with bites and bruising associated with it, the other clean unbruised area. Note the discoloration passes through the hide itself. Although this is a good representation of this factor, it is often distorted by weather conditions, sun exposure and decomposition etc. and may not always be relied upon.
