Study: Wolf culls lead to more livestock losses

Killing predators leads to more livestock damage than before in almost half of all cases.

The results look very different for methods such as livestock protection: in 80 percent of the cases examined, significantly fewer livestock were lost to predation. This is the conclusion of a study published on Thursday in the journal ‘Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment’.

Around the world, many authorities, hunters, and livestock owners see the culling of predators as the simplest solution to preventing livestock losses. Yet this approach most often creates more problems than it solves, as the study in the journal ‘Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment’ shows.

The study, based on a comprehensive international dataset, draws clear conclusions:

• Lethal methods (such as hunting, poison baits, and trapping) are not a solution to the problems faced by livestock owners — on the contrary, they often exacerbate existing problems: only in 29 percent of the cases examined was a minimal and short-lived reduction in attacks on livestock achieved. In 43 percent of cases, livestock losses were actually higher than before the killing.
• Non-lethal methods (such as the use of livestock guardian dogs or visual deterrents like flagging tape), on the other hand, are effective. In 80 percent of the cases examined, livestock losses decreased significantly.

Based on current knowledge, the researchers therefore recommend abandoning the killing of predators as a means of preventing damage.

For the study, an international research team systematically examined the results and the validity of various studies conducted in America and Europe. Results from Africa and Asia also confirm the findings.

Relevance to the Swiss hunting law revision:

The findings of the study are also relevant for Switzerland. On August 24, the Federal Council opened the consultation process for the revision of the Hunting Act (Wild beim Wild reported). According to the proposed legislation, wolves would soon be allowed to be shot preventively in order to prevent livestock damage. However, the large predators in the cross-border Alpine region are species whose populations are severely endangered. For this reason alone, preventive culling is questionable.

Gabor von Bethlenfalvy, large predator expert at WWF Switzerland, says:  «It is alarming how little attention politicians pay to practical experience and studies, instead allowing themselves to be guided by the pressure of vested interests.»

In the case of wolves in particular, population culls mean non-specific shooting in practice — there is a significant risk that animals which are important for family structure and food acquisition will be killed. Gabor von Bethlenfalvy adds: «The risk of worsening the situation for the affected livestock owners instead of improving it is too great. The best protection for livestock in a wolf region is herd protection and a stable wolf family structure.»

Source: Treves, A., Krofel, M., McManus, J. (equal co-authors) 2016 Predator control should not be a shot in the dark. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment (September issue).