Analysis of Wolf Predation on Cattle: The Case of Savoie and Haute-Savoie in the French Alps

This study provides a first characterization of wolf-related damage to cattle in Savoie and Haute-Savoie by combining two complementary data sources: 93 official damage reports collected between 2015 and 2020, in which wolf involvement could not be excluded, and an online survey distributed to 1,591 cattle farmers (673 responses; 35.5%). The objective was to better characterize this emerging predation on cattle by describing the types of victims, the injuries observed, and the circumstances associated with these events. All categories of cattle were concerned: 29% of calves, 29% of heifers and 42% of adult cows. Among injured animals (37%), adults represented the majority (68%), followed by calves (25%) and heifers (7%). Among the 63% of animals found dead, 42% were consumed (12% fully and 30% partially) with calves being the most frequently consumed (57% versus 23% of heifers and 20% of adults). Non-consumed victims (58%) showed lacerations and bites in 21% of cases (23% of adults, 55% of heifers and 22% of calves), mainly on the hindquarters (67%, compared to 11% only on the neck and 22% on other body regions). Other observations included falls (21%), missing calves, and signs of herd stress (8%), illustrating the diversity of situations encountered. The survey revealed that only 10% of farmers have ever filed a damage report, despite 43.5% stated that they had already at least suspicious event. Among non-reporting famers, 46% mentioned missing animals, 68% were unsure whether the damage was wolf-related, and 28% did not know how to declare an event. Overall, knowledge of the procedure was limited (20% fully informed) suggesting that uncertainty and poor information may restrict the flow of events into the official system. These findings show that heterogeneous predation patterns, variable consumption levels, and a lack of specific knowledge about reporting procedures likely contributed to a possible underestimation of cattle damage. These results support the need to adapt the current official damage assessment grid to better account for cattle-specific predation signs, and to strengthen territorial management, protection and defense strategies in grass-fed cattle farming areas.