protecting people protecting agriculture protecting wildlife livestock protection dogs: encouraging...

Protecting PeopleProtecting AgricultureProtecting Wildlife

Livestock Protection Dogs:Encouraging effective and responsible use for reducing

predator/livestock/human conflictsLiving with Wildlife while Managing Working Landscapes

Hopland Research & Extension CenterDec 1st – 2nd, 2015


Resource Management Specialist



Assist WS in broadening knowledge in the use of non lethal wildlife damage management methods and approaches



Assist WS in broadening knowledge in the use of non lethal wildlife damage management methods and approaches Primary focus on livestock protection/predation management

methods




methods Livestock Protection Dogs




methods Livestock Protection Dogs

Resource for WS partners/stakeholders, WS Operational and NWRC personnel Communication Development of informational material Outreach


Sheep and Lambs US Predator losses 194,395 118,032 credited to coyotes

61% of predator related losses

Sheep and Lamb Predator and Nonpredator Death Loss in the United States, 2015USDA/APHIS/VS National Animal Health Monitoring System, September 2015


Integrated Wildlife Damage Management


Integrated Wildlife Damage Management

IWDM encompasses the integration and application of all approved methods of prevention and management to reduce wildlife damage

WS Directive 2.105


Integrated Wildlife Damage Management for Livestock Protection


Integrated Wildlife Damage Managementfor Livestock Protection

Methods can generally be divided into- Control (Predator population management)


Integrated Wildlife Damage Managementfor Livestock Protection

Methods can generally be divided into- Control (Predator population management)- Preventative (Adaptive deterrent management)


Control methods usually are put into place after damage has occurred and are targeted at specific animals; usually lethal to the predator


Preventative methods are implemented prior to predation problems and are generally non-lethal to the predators


Resource Management

Animal Husbandry Night penning Shed lambing Range riding

Guard Animals Dogs, llamas, donkeys

Carcass Management Remove/dispose of attractants


Physical Exclusion

Fencing

Predator-resistant Fences

Temporary Fencing

Barriers, Netting, and Other Exclusion Methods


Harassment

Lights

Sounds

Human presence


The Wildlife Society states:

“Prevention or control of wildlife damage, which often includes removal of the animals responsible for the damage, is an essential and responsible part of wildlife management.”


Must be recognized that no tool is 100 percent effective and there is no “once size fits all”


Livestock Protection Dogs


In the late 1970’s, a resurgence in the use of Livestock Dogs for sheep protection began



Result of:



Result of:

Federal restrictions on the use of predacides



Result of:


Inability of existing techniques to provide adequate relief from predation



Result of:


Inability of existing techniques to provide adequate relief from predation

Desire by some to use a non-lethal approach


Livestock Protection Dogs (LPDs)

LPDs have been used around the world for centuries



LPDs have been used around the world for centuries While LPDs are most commonly used to protect sheep,

they are also helpful in protecting other livestock from predators



LPDs have been used around the world for centuries While LPDs are most commonly used to protect sheep,

they are also helpful in protecting other livestock from predators

LPDs are working dogs that stay with or near sheep most of the time, with the purpose of aggressively repelling predators


Livestock protection dogs are an important component of managing predation on small-farm flocks and on large landscapes, including public lands (US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management grazing allotments)


Producer costs to implement predator control methods (US)

Shed Lambing Fencing Trapping/ Cap-ture Devices

Livestock Protec-tion Dogs

Call/Shoot Other $-

$2,000

$4,000

$6,000

$8,000

$10,000

$12,000

$14,000

$16,000

$18,000

$20,000


Cost and Effect of Predation Prevention Measures (US)

Shed Lambing Fencing Trapping/ Capture Devices


Call/ Shoot $-

$2,000

$4,000

$6,000

$8,000

$10,000

$12,000

$14,000

$16,000

$18,000

$20,000

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Cost to Implement Very Effective Somewhat Effective Not Effective



Pros



Pros• LPDs can guard a variety of livestock



Pros• LPDs can guard a variety of livestock• LPDs are typically able to analyze threats



Pros• LPDs can guard a variety of livestock• LPDs are typically able to analyze threats• LPDs bond to the livestock they are protecting



Pros• LPDs can guard a variety of livestock• LPDs are typically able to analyze threats• LPDs bond to the livestock they are protecting• LPDs may alert the producer to potential threats



Pros• LPDs can guard a variety of livestock• LPDs are typically able to analyze threats• LPDs bond to the livestock they are protecting• LPDs may alert the producer to potential threats• LPDs may allow for greater pasture use and grazing



Pros• LPDs can guard a variety of livestock• LPDs are typically able to analyze threats• LPDs bond to the livestock they are protecting• LPDs may alert the producer to potential threats• LPDs may allow for greater pasture use and grazing• LPDS provide long term protection, as predators do not

become accustomed or habituated to the dogs



Cons



Cons• LPDs may kill the livestock they are protecting



Cons• LPDs may kill the livestock they are protecting• LPDs may harass and kill non-target wildlife



Cons• LPDs may kill the livestock they are protecting• LPDs may harass and kill non-target wildlife• LPDs may wander unless adequately fenced



Cons• LPDs may kill the livestock they are protecting• LPDs may harass and kill non-target wildlife• LPDs may wander unless adequately fenced• LPDs may be aggressive to strangers



Cons• LPDs may kill the livestock they are protecting• LPDs may harass and kill non-target wildlife• LPDs may wander unless adequately fenced• LPDs may be aggressive to strangers• LPDs may not tolerate herding or other farm dogs



Cons• LPDs may kill the livestock they are protecting• LPDs may harass and kill non-target wildlife• LPDs may wander unless adequately fenced• LPDs may be aggressive to strangers• LPDs may not tolerate herding or other farm dogs• LPDs need time and guidance to mature properly



Cons• LPDs may kill the livestock they are protecting• LPDs may harass and kill non-target wildlife• LPDs may wander unless adequately fenced• LPDs may be aggressive to strangers• LPDs may not tolerate herding or other farm dogs• LPDs need time and guidance to mature properly• LPDS will bark, especially at night



Cons• LPDs may kill the livestock they are protecting• LPDs may harass and kill non-target wildlife• LPDs may wander unless adequately fenced• LPDs may be aggressive to strangers• LPDs may not tolerate herding or other farm dogs• LPDs need time and guidance to mature properly• LPDS will bark, especially at night• LPDs cannot be used in conjunction with most other

predator control methods (traps, snares, poisons)


Protecting the Resource


Protecting the ResourceEducation



Producer Responsibility


Increasingly, more and more people are seeking to use public lands for a variety of purposes. This use includes hiking, biking, horseback riding, ect., in some areas historically utilized forlivestock grazing.Unfortunately, harmoniousco-existence is threatenedby increased LPD/humanconflict.


Additionally, increasing urbanization has led to a number of conflicts between livestock protection dogs and neighbors in historically rural areas.


U.S. & WORLD

Ranching, recreation collide in the great outdoors

The mountain biker was excited about her big race in Colorado's wilderness. And nothing irked the sheepherder like the sports crowd. It was a disaster waiting to happen.By Nicholas RiccardiNovember 27, 2009Reporting from Camp Hale, Colo.


Fierce sheepdogs alarming tourists in SW ColoradoModified: January 29, 2012 at 12:00 am • Published: January 29, 2012

Photo by Gazette File

SILVERTON — Turkish sheepdogs prized for their fierceness are raising concerns they may be a little too tough for the southwest Colorado communities where ranchers are using them.

The Akbash dogs weigh up to 120 pounds and are especially aggressive toward animals near the sheep they guard. But that can include hikers and other backcountry tourists, prompting debate about whether the breed should be regulated.


Livestock Protection DogBest Management Practices


What are BMPs?

Recommendations to enhance the professional qualifications and judgment of livestock producers utilizing LPDs

Optimizes the use of LPDs Minimizes conflicts


http://www.sheepusa.org/IssuesPrograms_Programs_LivestockProtectionDogs


Cooperative effort involving:

USDA Wildlife Services

US Forest Service

US Bureau of Land Management

American Sheep Industry


http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/wildlife_damage/index.shtml



Research


Wolves kill 120 sheep at ranch near DillonBy EVE BYRON of the Helena Independent Record | Posted: Friday, August 28, 2009 6:30 amHELENA

GYC NewsSeptember 03, 2009Carol Ryan Dumas | Capital Press

…a sheep producer from Terreton, Idaho,suffered $40,000 inlosses this summer due to wolf predation. He said wolves killedmore than 100 rams, ewes and lambs and six guard dogs in 11separate incidents in his grazing areas in Eastern Idaho andWestern Wyoming.


QUESTIONS?

protecting people protecting agriculture protecting wildlife livestock protection dogs: encouraging...

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