The effectiveness of livestock protection measures against wolves (Canis lupus) and implications for their co-existence with humans

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 21, P. e00868 - e00868

Published: Dec. 3, 2019

Wolves (Canis lupus) can kill domestic livestock resulting in intense conflicts with humans. Damage to should be reduced facilitate human-wolf coexistence and ensure positive outcomes of conservation efforts. Current knowledge on the effectiveness protection measures from wolves is limited scattered literature. In this study, we compiled a dataset 30 cases describing application 11 protecting cattle smaller against wolves, estimated their as relative risk damage, identified best for damage reduction. We found that: (1) lethal control translocation were less effective than other measures, (2) deterrents, especially fladry which fence ropes marked by hanging colored flags that sway wind provide visual warning signal, more guarding dogs; (3) fencing, calving herding very effective, but last two included only one case each; (4) was small stock (sheep goats, or sheep only) mixed stock. all these cases, 50–100%. Considering Germany an example country recovering wolf population escalating conflicts, suggest electric fences electrified most promising under suitable conditions accompanied well-trained dogs, temporary use deterrents during critical periods such lambing seasons. Further research field paramount importance efficiently mitigate conflicts.

Language: Английский

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Predator Control Needs a Standard of Unbiased Randomized Experiments With Cross-Over Design

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 7

Published: Dec. 12, 2019

Rapid, global changes, such as extinction and climate change, put a premium on evidence-based, environmental policies interventions, including predator control efforts. Lack of solid scientific evidence precludes strong inference about responses predators, people, prey both, to various types control. Here we formulate two opposing hypotheses with possible underlying mechanisms propose experiments test four pairs opposed predictions domestic animals, people in coupled, dynamic system. We outline the design platinum-standard experiment, namely randomized, controlled experiment cross-over multiple steps blind measurement, analysis, peer review avoid pervasive biases. The gold-standard has been proven feasible field predators livestock, so call for replicating that across world different methods control, addition striving an even higher standard can improve reproducibility reliability science

Language: Английский

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How long do anti-predator interventions remain effective? Patterns, thresholds and uncertainty

Royal Society Open Science, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 6(9), P. 190826 - 190826

Published: Sept. 11, 2019

Human–predator conflicts are globally widespread, and effective interventions essential to protect human assets from predator attacks. As effectiveness also has a temporal dimension, it is of importance know how long remain most determine time thresholds at which begins decrease. To address this, we conducted systematic review the changes in non-invasive against terrestrial mammalian predators, defining trend line for each published case. We found only 26 cases 14 publications, mainly referring electric fences ( n = 7 cases) deterrents cases). calving control highly longest time, reducing damage by 100% periods between three months 3 years. The acoustical light as well guarding animals eroded quite fast after one five months. Supplemental feeding was be counter-productive increasing over instead it. stress that vital make monitoring routine requirement all intervention applications suggest standardize can produce meaningful affordable information.

Language: Английский

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Effectiveness of interventions for managing human-large carnivore conflicts worldwide: Scare them off, don't remove them

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 838, P. 156195 - 156195

Published: May 24, 2022

Language: Английский

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Variation and conservation implications of the effectiveness of anti-bear interventions

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 10(1)

Published: Sept. 18, 2020

Abstract Human-bear conflicts triggered by nuisance behaviour in public places and damage to livestock, crops, beehives trees are among the main threats bear populations globally. The effectiveness of interventions used minimize bear-caused is insufficiently known comparative reviews lacking. We conducted a meta-analysis 77 cases from 48 publications relative risk compare non-invasive interventions, invasive management (translocations) lethal control (shooting) against bears. show that most effective electric fences (95% confidence interval = 79.2–100% reduction damage), calving (100%) livestock replacement (99.8%), but latter two approaches were applied only one case each need more testing. Deterrents varied widely their (13.7–79.5%) we recommend applying these during peak periods infliction. found shooting (− 34.2 100%) have short-term positive effect with its decreasing significantly linearly over time. did not find relationships between density intervention effectiveness, possibly due differences spatial scales at which they measured (large for densities local fine effectiveness). appeal studies scientific publishing regard under-represented conflict species regions.

Language: Английский

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A global view on evidence‐based effectiveness of interventions used to protect livestock from wild cats

Conservation Science and Practice, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 3(2)

Published: Nov. 17, 2020

Abstract Rapid population declines of wild cats (family Felidae) are often related to widespread conflicts with people over the livestock depredation they causing. In spite increasing literature on felids, there is no overview evidence‐based effectiveness protection interventions in reducing inflicted by these animals. We collected and analyzed 92 cases from 57 publications describing percentage damage reduction application 11 10 felid species. found that differed significantly between Interventions tested for cheetahs ( Acinonyx jubatus ), Iberian lynx Lynx pardinus ) snow leopards Panthera uncia were very effective, 70–100% due species shyness, good fit local conditions, strong social involvement. The most variable lowest was leopard pardus puma Puma concolor caracal Caracal which more common tolerant humans. other generally but some them reportedly failed because contexts intervention performance. Much effort required invigorate research little studied regions.

Language: Английский

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Perspective: Why might removing carnivores maintain or increase risks for domestic animals?

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 283, P. 110106 - 110106

Published: May 2, 2023

Human-carnivore conflict is still characterized by lethal control, even while some evidence suggests that carnivore removal may not affect the likelihood of future livestock predation, or it exacerbate problem. Here we propose five non-exclusive, and likely additive, hypotheses for why removals could fail to mitigate livestock-carnivore conflict. We also a methodological change in scale analyses from populations smaller social networks, encourage public education includes discussions about potential consequences communities with following killing carnivores, addition broader outreach both costs benefits living carnivores.

Language: Английский

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Laser scarecrows reduce avian corn‐foraging propensity but not bout length in aviary trials

Pest Management Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 12, 2025

Abstract BACKGROUND Behavioral mechanisms underlying avian deterrence by lasers in sweet corn are not known, and we evaluated them a rigorous aviary experiment. Eighteen flocks of European starlings ( Sturnus vulgaris ) foraged on for several days control laser treated plots with ripe while data were collected where birds distributed how long corn. In 16 trials, fresh ears presented wooden sticks, two trials natural grown from seed. Birds sexed boldness scores obtained. We predicted that (a) would avoid foraging (b) if they did feed, reduce bout duration. RESULTS Laser treatments reduced the probability feed ears, to striking degree Natural Trials. detect direct effects exposure duration, but when foliage was low, bolder longer plots. CONCLUSION provide first quantification bird behavior The central mechanism effectiveness scarecrows at reducing damage is prevention settlement depredating onto ears. © 2025 Society Chemical Industry. This article has been contributed U.S. Government employees their work public domain USA.

Language: Английский

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An economic analysis of cell-fencing in semi-arid rangelands

The Rangeland Journal, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 47(2)

Published: Feb. 12, 2025

In Australia, livestock predation by dingoes (Canis familiaris) has contributed to what some producers consider a dire situation for rangeland pastoralism, driving demand cooperative regional-scale exclusion (‘cell’) fencing (i.e. pest-proof fences that encompass one or more individual properties) and landscape-scale predator control. The present case study predicted the effect of four cell-fences in state Western Australia (WA) on gross margin sheep (for meat wool) cattle pastoral enterprises. We modelled potential effects following key variables: (1) levels commodity prices, (2) five weaning rate (based records collected 1985–1995; is defined as number lambs calves are born survive weaning, expressed percentage total mated females), (3) three time required remove from within fenced area, (4) macropod (mainly kangaroo) response competitive grazers, with 3600 scenarios representing all combinations these factors. Each scenario was assessed profitability net value (NPV) over 25 years) benefit NPV compared an unfenced enterprise same type, region, prices). Finally, benefit–cost ratio (BCR) investment cell calculated each scenario. majority (67%) continuation current management no fencing) returned negative enterprises were projected make loss). However, only 37.4% cell-fenced positive NPV, meaning even cell-fence successful removal dingoes, still unlikely be profitable. Only 43.4% BCR greater than one. Weaning dingo most important factor determining return cell-fencing. Survival reproduction small livestock, particularly wool sheep, cell-fencing, whereas cell-fencing did not result profits Running coupled would maximise likelihood achieving (although may remain unprofitable overall); otherwise, affected should run this will

Language: Английский

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Achieving coexistence with the sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) in northeastern India: The provision of practical co‐benefits to communities is critical to achieving long‐term outreach impact

Conservation Science and Practice, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 9, 2025

Abstract Most global bear populations are declining. Building public support for conservation, however, and overcoming community intolerance of human–bear conflict, often requires continuous adaptive efforts. Whenever possible, such efforts could also innovatively address local needs. Here, we attempted to first identify those factors most influencing the attitudes communities toward sun ( Helarctos malayanus ) around Dampa Tiger Reserve (DTR) (Mizoram, India). We then sought understand if our outreach about ecology, methods mitigating improved livelihood options, had any long‐term impact on perceptions, behavior, practices. interviewed a total 950 locals over 5 years at three different intervals relating conservation programming: before activities, immediately upon concluding several later. Overall, found slight increase in between initial (77.05%) final interviews (82.2%). However, observed significantly greater among younger (<40 years) respondents exposed activities (from 72% 88.5%) χ 2 = 0.31, df 2, p < .050). saw >20% general action lacking formal education R 0.71, .05). Finally, that 56.58% ultimately adopted alternative options promoted, discussed, or shared with them during programs. Furthermore, these changes were concomitant measurable decrease unsustainable agricultural practices, an forest cover, DTR. Despite net positive impacts, serious threats biodiversity region remain, including commercial poaching, planned expansion crop monocultures; underscore continued need effective enforcement tools action, policies practices incentivize sustainability, use innovative approaches.

Language: Английский

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