Domestic sheep, Ovis aries, are a globally significant source of food and fiber, but they are highly vulnerable to predation. As a prey species with limited natural defenses, sheep flocks face threats from diverse carnivores in nearly every region where they are raised. Predation is a persistent challenge in livestock management, impacting the economic viability of farming operations and creating conflicts in wildlife conservation. Understanding which animals prey on sheep, and how they do it, is paramount to mitigating these losses and finding a sustainable balance with wild predator populations.
Apex Terrestrial Predators
Large mammalian carnivores are responsible for the most significant predation of adult sheep. Canids, such as wolves and coyotes, are among the most common and widespread predators of sheep worldwide. These animals typically target the throat, using powerful bites to crush the windpipe or sever major blood vessels, resulting in a quick kill by suffocation.
Coyotes are opportunistic and will prey on both adult sheep and lambs, often hunting alone or in small packs. In contrast, large felines like cougars, also known as pumas or mountain lions, rely on ambush and overwhelming force. A cougar’s attack often involves a bite to the head or neck, intended to crush the skull or cervical vertebrae. Cougars frequently start feeding by consuming internal organs, such as the heart and liver, and may pluck wool from the hide beforehand.
Bears, including Black bears and Grizzly bears, are less efficient hunters than canids or felines, but they can be highly destructive. When attacking a flock, sheep bunch together, which can lead to multiple animals being killed even if only one is consumed. Bears often begin their meal with internal organs, such as the udder or viscera, and may drag the carcass to a secluded spot before covering it with debris.
Avian and Opportunistic Threats
While large carnivores threaten the entire flock, other predators focus on vulnerable animals, such as newborn lambs or sick sheep. Avian predators, primarily Golden Eagles, are a major source of loss during the spring lambing season. These raptors use powerful talons and beaks to attack lambs, with confirmed kills documented on animals up to 60 pounds. Eagle kills often show punctures and hemorrhage around the head and neck.
Smaller terrestrial predators, most notably Red Foxes, concentrate their efforts on young lambs. Fox predation is identified by puncture wounds to the head, neck, and throat, causing significant lamb mortality. Vultures and condors, while primarily scavengers, can become opportunistic predators, attacking compromised or sickly animals.
A particularly destructive threat comes from domestic or feral dogs, which are the most common canid culprits in some regions. Unlike the efficient, survival-driven attack of a wild predator, dog attacks are often characterized by excessive mutilation and multiple injuries, including slashing to the hind legs and flanks. These attacks tend to be more drawn out, scattering the flock and injuring numerous animals that may not be consumed, which is a clear difference from the focused kill of a coyote.
Mitigation and Management of Predation
Managing predation involves protecting livestock while coexisting with wildlife, often requiring a multi-layered approach using non-lethal methods. A primary strategy involves specialized fencing, such as woven wire or high-tensile electric fences, which act as a physical and psychological deterrent. Electric fences, which include alternating live and ground wires with close spacing near the base, have been shown to reduce predation losses by as much as 90 percent.
Another highly effective biological tool is the deployment of Livestock Guardian Animals (LGAs), which bond with the sheep and aggressively repel intruders. Popular LGA breeds include the Great Pyrenees, Anatolian Shepherd, and Komondor dogs, but llamas and donkeys are also used due to their natural aversion to canids. Llamas and donkeys are often best suited for smaller flocks and pastures, while dogs are more widely applicable to different terrains and predator types.
Changes in husbandry practices minimize exposure during high-risk periods. Night penning, where sheep are confined to secure enclosures near human activity, is common since most predation occurs after dark. Shed lambing or synchronized lambing helps ensure that vulnerable newborns are protected, or are only exposed for a short, concentrated period. Quick disposal of deceased livestock is also important to prevent scavengers from being attracted to the area and potentially preying on live sheep.