Defenders of Wildlife
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Predator Compensation Programs
Defenders of Wildlife helped pioneer the use of economic incentives to promote protection of endangered species on private lands. In 1987, Defenders created a fund to compensate ranchers in the U.S. Northern Rockies for all verified livestock losses to wolves. The fund has since been expanded to cover loses due to both wolves and grizzly bears, paying $210,000 to 180 ranchers since its inception. Despite the payments, some ranchers question the program's effectivness. A university study involving stakeholder groups is being conducted to determine: 1) the effectiveness of Defenders’ private compensation trust along with state-run programs in Idaho and Wyoming, and 2) examination of possible economic benefits of wolf reintroduction in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
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