Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference

Problems with golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) and bald eagle (Haliaetus leucocephalus) depredation on livestock in western United States were investigated by surveying Animal Damage Control field personnel. One hundred forty-three individuals from 14 states identified areas where they had observed eagle damage to livestock in the past 10 years. Most field personnel believed golden eagles (both residents and migrants) were the most important species causing livestock depredations. The highest livestock losses to eagles were associated with open range lambing operations. Eagle numbers were reported to be increasing throughout the West, but livestock losses to eagles were staying at about the same level.