Adaptive use of nonlethal strategies for minimizing wolf–sheep conflict in Idaho

摘要: Worldwide, native predators are killed to protect livestock, an action that can undermine wildlife conservation efforts and create conflicts among stakeholders. An ongoing example is occurring in the western United States, where wolves (Canis lupus) were eradicated by 1930s but again present parts of their historic range. While livestock losses represent a small fraction overall mortality, response these depredations has resulted widespread including significant at lethal wolf control reduce impacts on producers, especially those with large-scale grazing operations public lands. A variety nonlethal methods have proven effective reducing small-scale large-scale, open-range operations, management strategies often presumed ineffective or infeasible. To demonstrate techniques be large scales, we report 7-year case study strategically applied predator deterrents animal husbandry adaptive basis (i.e., based terrain, proximity den rendezvous sites, avoiding overexposure such as certain lights sound devices could result losing fear device, etc.) sheep (Ovis aries) lands Idaho. We collected data depredation mortalities protected demonstration area compared adjacent wolf-occupied grazed without added protection measures. Over period, 3.5 times higher Nonprotected Area (NPA) than Protected (PA). Furthermore, no lethally controlled within PA just 0.02% total number present, lowest loss rate sheep-grazing areas range statewide, whereas NPA. Our project provides evidence proactive use conditionally help operations.