Wyoming cattlemen suffered $1.39 million in losses to predators in 2000. A total of 300 cattle and 3,600 calves were lost to all predators, based on a survey of producers conducted jointly by the National Agricultural Statistics Service and the Animal and Plant Health Inpection Service - Wildlife Services. Coyotes were responsible for 100 cattle losses (33 percent) and 2,800 calf losses (78 percent). Mountain lions and bobcats were responsible for 100 cattle and 300 calf deaths while another 100 cattle and 500 calves were lost to all other predators.

The last similar survey to measure cattle predator losses was conducted for the 1995 calendar year and that survey estimated $694,000 in losses of cattle and calves to predators. A total of 200 cattle and 1,600 calves were taken by predators that year of which 1,100 calves were lost to coyotes.

United States: Cattle and calf losses from animal predators in the United States totaled 147,000 head during 2000. This estimate excludes Alaska. This resulted in a loss to farmers and ranchers of $51.6 million due to predators.

Coyotes caused the majority of cattle and calf losses to predators. They accounted for 64.6 percent of the total head lost. Dogs were the second leading cause of predator losses, accounting for 17.7 percent.

Farmers and ranchers throughout the United States spent $184.9 million on non-lethal methods to prevent predator loss of cattle and calves.