Predation and Wildlife Damage

Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program

The Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program provides financial assistance to producers whose livestock, poultry and honey bees have been damaged by wildlife. The Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program is part of The Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal, provincial and territorial initiative.

Program Information and Resources

• Information for Livestock and Poultry Owners
• Information for Municipalities
• Information for Municipal Investigators
• Information for Beekeepers
• Information for Bee Investigators
• Steps to Make a Claim

Standardized Valuation Tables

In keeping with Ontario's Open Data Directive, the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program's standardized valuation tables have moved to the Ontario Data Catalogue. While the look and location will be different, the data remains the same.

• Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program fair market value valuation tables

Program Guidelines

• Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program Guidelines, effective January 1, 2021
• Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program Guidelines, February 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020

Note: The OWDCP to pays 100 per cent of fair market value, including applicable premiums for registered or pregnant livestock, where reasonable evidence substantiates predation.

Program Applications (Updated February 2019)

• Livestock and Poultry Application
• Additional Animal Form
• Beekeeper Application

Training for Municipal Investigators

• Training resources for Municipal Investigators are now available online. To request access to these training resources, please complete: Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program Investigator Training Resources Request Form or contact the Agriculture Information Contact Centre (1-877-424-1300)
• Contact us to request copies of the information session presentations.

General Predation Information

• Predation on Livestock
• Dealing with Deadstock
• Preventing Losses to Predators
• Background Information

The OWDCP will continue to pay 100 per cent of fair market value, including applicable premiums for registered or pregnant livestock, where reasonable evidence substantiates predation.

Reasonable Care Plan

• Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Reasonable Care Plan

Predation on Livestock

• How to Differentiate Between Coyote and Dog Predation on Sheep

Preventing Losses to Predators

• Fencing Options in Predator Control (Order No. 02-053)
• Guidelines For Using Donkeys As Guard Animals With Sheep
• Management Practices Can Influence Predation
• Never Cry Wolf – Protect your herd from predators!
• Living with Wolves
• Livestock Guardian Dogs and Their Care in Winter (Order No. 10-033)

Dealing with Deadstock

• Deadstock Disposal Information (including approved methods and regulations)

Background Information

• People and Wildlife - Reducing and Managing Conflict

Outline of Changes Effective February 1, 2019

Following consultations with farmers, farm organizations, municipal investigators, and predation experts, Ontario has updated the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program to ensure the program works as it is intended to support farmers who lose livestock, poultry, or bees to predators.

Updates include:

• More ways to provide sufficient evidence
• A more independent and transparent appeals process
• Training for municipal investigators to assess predation
• Standardized pricing and premiums to better reflect market prices

Summary of 2019 Program Updates (PDF - 501 KB)