Nonlethal tools and methods for depredation management of large carnivores Eric Gese, USDA/APHIS/WS/National Wildlife Research Center Logan Field Station, Utah
Recovery of large carnivores often corresponds with increases in depredation events
Why do we need nonlethal techniques? Socio-political impacts - Publicly acceptable - Promote community support
Why do we need nonlethal techniques? Socio-political impacts - Publicly acceptable - Promote community support Biological impacts - Individuals have value - Stability of social unit
The Non-lethal Tool Box Managing the Resources Aggregate grazing Shepherds Hotspot avoidance Control of birthing Night penning Disposal of carcasses Fencing
Fences Fladry The Non-lethal Tool Box Managing the Predators Visual repellents Frightening devices Projectiles Electric collars Conditioned taste aversion Chemical repellents Sterilization Immuno-contraception Translocation Livestock guarding animals Hazing
Fences Fladry The Non-lethal Tool Box Managing the Predators Visual repellents Frightening devices Projectiles Electric collars Conditioned taste aversion Chemical repellents Sterilization Immuno-contraception Translocation Livestock guarding animals Hazing
Frightening devices: Lights, distress calls, devices that make loud noises, scarecrows, propane exploders, aluminum pie pans, lanterns Extensively tested with coyotes
Frightening devices: Lights, distress calls, devices that make loud noises, scarecrows, propane exploders, aluminum pie pans, lanterns Extensively tested with coyotes Advantages: Can provide temporary relief from predation
Frightening devices: Lights, distress calls, devices that make loud noises, scarecrows, propane exploders, aluminum pie pans, lanterns Extensively tested with coyotes Advantages: Can provide temporary relief from predation Disadvantages: Costs of materials, installation, and maintenance Animals can habituate to stimulus; benefits short-lived Not applicable to large pastures or range operations Loud devices and strobe lights generally not accepted in close proximity to people
Radio-activated guard (RAG box) Motion-activated guard (MAG box)
RAG benefits Depredation prevention Unattended protection Alerts producers Allows endangered predators to remain
Electronic complexity Battery Receiver Terrain Small pastures Requires transmitters Not fail safe RAG Limitations
Fencing and barriers Predator-proof fencing, fladry, exclosures, electrical fencing Extensively tested with coyotes
Fencing and barriers Predator-proof fencing, fladry, exclosures, electrical fencing Extensively tested with coyotes Advantages: Electric fencing or predator-proof fencing does work Helps contain/manage stock
Fencing and barriers Predator-proof fencing, fladry, exclosures, electrical fencing Extensively tested with coyotes Advantages: Electric fencing or predator-proof fencing does work Helps contain/manage stock Disadvantages: Costs of materials, installation, maintenance Carnivores can learn to jump over or dig under fences Hard to apply in large pastures or range operations
Guard dogs Breeds typically used: Great Pyrenees, Akbash, Komondor, Anatolian shepard, Shar Planinetz, Kuvasz, Maremma Confine flocks to open pastures (view important) Training and supervision is important
Guard dogs Breeds typically used: Great Pyrenees, Akbash, Komondor, Anatolian shepard, Shar Planinetz, Kuvasz, Maremma Confine flocks to open pastures (view important) Training and supervision is important Advantages: Sometimes effective, if done right
Guard dogs Breeds typically used: Great Pyrenees, Akbash, Komondor, Anatolian shepard, Shar Planinetz, Kuvasz, Maremma Confine flocks to open pastures (view important) Training and supervision is important Advantages: Sometimes effective, if done right Disadvantages: Some may kill or harass sheep and wildlife Can threaten people Need food and water May bond to people Precludes use of lethal techniques
Find a reputable breeder Start bonding with sheep and training them at an early age
Wolves and white guard dogs do not mix 4 guard dogs killed by 1 pack of wolves (5-6 wolves) in Montana New breeds being tested
Guard llamas Natural predatory defenses (evolved with predators)
Guard llamas Natural predatory defenses (evolved with predators) Advantages: Do not require special feeding Fairly easy to handle Live longer than guard dogs
Guard llamas Natural predatory defenses (evolved with predators) Advantages: Do not require special feeding Fairly easy to handle Live longer than guard dogs Disadvantages: Must confine flocks to open pastures (view important) Cannot use females or intact males Cannot use 2 llamas in same pasture (will bond to each other and ignore the sheep)
Find a reputable dealer/breeder Traits that are useful when selecting a llama: leadership, alertness, and weight
Find a reputable dealer/breeder Traits that are useful when selecting a llama: leadership, alertness, and weight Wolves have killed guard llamas
Guard donkeys Apparent dislike of dogs
Guard donkeys Apparent dislike of dogs Advantages: Practical and effective; bigger than llamas Do not require special feeding Easy to handle Live longer than guard dogs
Guard donkeys Apparent dislike of dogs Advantages: Practical and effective; bigger than llamas Do not require special feeding Easy to handle Live longer than guard dogs Disadvantages: Must confine flocks to open pastures (view important) Must use females (jennys) or gelded males Cannot use 2 donkeys in same pasture (will bond to each other and ignore the sheep)
Hazing programs Active pursuit of animal from an area or resource using cracker shells, dogs, rubber bullets, etc. Used on black and grizzly bears for deterring individuals from campgrounds, etc. Recent testing on wolves
Hazing programs Active pursuit of animal from an area or resource using cracker shells, dogs, rubber bullets, etc. Used on black and grizzly bears for deterring individuals from campgrounds, etc. Recent testing on wolves Advantages: Specific to the individual chased Acceptable to the public; particularly on public land
Hazing programs Active pursuit of animal from an area or resource using cracker shells, dogs, rubber bullets, etc. Used on black and grizzly bears for deterring individuals from campgrounds, etc. Recent testing on wolves Advantages: Specific to the individual chased Acceptable to the public; particularly on public land Disadvantages: Initial cost and training of personnel and/or dogs Limited effectiveness
Less Than Lethal Munitions (LTLM)
Cracker Shells
Integrating Tools Flashing Light
Integrating Tools Flashing Light Radio-activated Flashing Light
Integrating Tools Flashing Light Radio-activated Flashing Light Flashing Light Fladry
Integrating Tools Flashing Light Radio-activated Flashing Light Flashing Light Fladry Flashing Light Fladry Hazing
Wood River Project Wolf and Sheep in Idaho Conceived by WS Funded by Defenders of Wildlife Involved 4 sheep producers (10,000-27,000 sheep) Shepards 24/7 Non-Lethal Tools Portable fladry Guard dogs Air horns
Wood River Project in Idaho
After accounting for the number of Sheep Days the unprotected area had a
Wood River Results Reduced sheep losses to wolves (<1% loss) No wolves were controlled in protected area
Wood River Results Reduced sheep losses to wolves (<1% loss) No wolves were controlled in protected area Initially the effort was very intense Over time producers figured things out
Wood River Results Reduced sheep losses to wolves (<1% loss) No wolves were controlled in protected area Initially the effort was very intense Over time producers figured things out Producers willing to participate was important NGO willing to help fund the effort was important
So Why Aren t Nonlethal Tools Used More Tool Efficacy Attitudes, Beliefs, Perceptions Use of Non-Lethal Tools Carnivore Ecology Economics
Selective, efficient, compatible Methods need rigorous testing There is no magic bullet to solve all problems (need a toolbox)
Conclusions Goal is to reduce Lethal Control:
Conclusions Goal is to reduce Lethal Control: Go to court, and be divisive
Conclusions Goal is to reduce Lethal Control: Go to court, and be divisive OR Work together to help affected stakeholders WS can assist in catalyzing these efforts NGO s can assist with energy and funding Affected stakeholders embrace collaborative efforts
Conclusions Goal is to reduce Lethal Control: Go to court, and be divisive OR Work together to help affected stakeholders WS can assist in catalyzing these efforts NGO s can assist with energy and funding Affected stakeholders must embrace collaborative efforts How can we create long-term incentives?