Transcript Baldwin Hopland Coyote Presentation 2015 (45 min)

Human-Wildlife Conflict with an
Emphasis on Coyote Depredation
Roger A. Baldwin
UCCE Wildlife Specialist
Department of Wildlife, Fish, & Conservation Biology
University of California, Davis
Benefits of Wildlife
• Physical utility
• Monetary
• Recreational
• Scientific
• Ecological
• Existence
Adapted from Conover 2002
What Are Vertebrate Pests?
• Nonhuman species of
vertebrate animals that are
currently troublesome
locally, or over a wide area,
to one or more persons,
either by being a health
hazard, a general nuisance,
or by destroying food, fiber,
or natural resources.
What is Human-Wildlife Conflict?
• The negative interaction of
humans and other vertebrate
animals.
• Such situations could result in:
- health hazards
What is Human-Wildlife Conflict?
• The negative interaction of
humans and other vertebrate
animals.
• Such situations could result in:
- health hazards
- destruction of food, fiber,
or natural resources.
What is Human-Wildlife Conflict?
• The negative interaction of
humans and other vertebrate
animals.
• Such situations could result in:
- health hazards
- destruction of food, fiber,
or natural resources.
- general nuisance incidents
History
• Human-wildlife conflict
has always been present.
• Really came to the
forefront in western U.S.
with an increase in
livestock production and
agriculture.
Livestock Issues
• Pioneers concerned
about losses of livestock
to predators.
• Much effort was taken
to reduce or eliminate
predator populations.
Livestock Damage Estimates
• In 2010, predators resulted in
loss of 220,000 head of
livestock.
• This totaled $98.5 million in
losses to ranchers.
• Does not account for indirect
losses (e.g., weaning weights of
calves 2-10% lower in presence
of wolves).
• $188.5 million was expended
for non-lethal control of
predators.
Current Control Strategies
• Currently, we focus on
an integrated approach
that utilizes a number of
strategies and tools to
control vertebrate pests.
Current Control Strategies
• Currently, we focus on
an integrated approach
that utilizes a number of
strategies and tools to
control vertebrate pests.
Management Options
• Two-tiered system:
– Nonlethal options
– Lethal options
Management Options
• Two-tiered system:
– Nonlethal options
– Lethal options
• Nonlethal control is principle focus
Management Options
• Two-tiered system:
– Nonlethal options
– Lethal options
• Nonlethal control is principle focus
• Lethal options used when needed
Management Options—Nonlethal
• Habitat modification
– Certain habitats are more
conducive to depredation events.
• Pasturing, lambing, & calving
habitat
– Pasture in areas with less history
of depredation.
– Shortening birthing period can
overwhelm predators.
– Particularly avoid these areas at
sensitive times.
– Could graze cattle in heavy
coyote depredation areas.
Management Options—Nonlethal
• Sanitation
– Removing carcasses may lessen depredation pressure.
– Less feasible over large areas.
Management Options—Nonlethal
1. Woven wire fence
Management Options—Nonlethal
1. Woven wire fence
2. Electric fence
Management Options—Nonlethal
1. Woven wire fence
2. Electric fence
3. Combination fence
Management Options—Nonlethal
1. Woven wire fence
2. Electric fence
3. Combination fence
4. Portable electric fence
Management Options—Nonlethal
• Night/seasonal enclosure
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–
–
–
Predation greatest at night.
Bring livestock into enclosures at night can reduce threat.
Calving and lambing in such areas also reduces threat.
Not as plausible over large areas.
Management Options—Nonlethal
• Herding
– Constant human presence is
effective.
– Allows behavioral observation.
– Expensive.
– Limited qualified labor force.
• Disruptive harassment
– Running off or shooting with
rubber slugs or paint balls
Management Options—Nonlethal
• Guard dogs
– Can effectively reduce livestock
losses from coyotes.
– Require extensive training.
– Can be expensive.
– May directly predate on livestock.
Management Options—Nonlethal
• Guard dogs
– Can effectively reduce livestock
losses from coyotes.
– Require extensive training.
– Can be expensive.
– May directly predate on livestock.
• Donkeys/llamas
–
–
–
–
Can also reduce livestock losses.
Less training/greater longevity.
Less specialized care.
Less concern with other coyote
management options.
Management Options—Nonlethal
• Visual frightening approaches
– Lights around pens and corrals
somewhat effective.
– Vehicles left in area somewhat
effective, especially if moved.
– Coyotes will habituate quickly.
Management Options—Nonlethal
• Visual frightening approaches
– Lights around pens and corrals
somewhat effective.
– Vehicles left in area somewhat
effective, especially if moved.
– Coyotes will habituate quickly.
• Auditory frightening devices
– Radios in animal holding areas.
– Propane cannons and sirens.
– Combinations can be most effective
(e.g., Electronic Guards).
– More effective when triggered.
– Can be irritant to neighbors and
efficacy is not long term.
Management Options—Nonlethal
• Fladry
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–
–
–
Strands of flags strung just above ground.
Can keep canids out for a couple of months.
Turbo fladry is often more effective.
Best if used as one part of management program.
Management Options—Lethal
• Broad-scale population reduction
–
–
–
–
–
–
Goal is to minimize population density over a broad area.
Can reduce depredation events if intensive enough.
Must be repeated over time to keep populations from rebounding.
Is expensive.
Can alter population demographics.
May impact nontarget species.
Management Options—Lethal
• Broad-scale population reduction
– Historical options included:



bounties
trapping (including leg-hold traps)
shooting (including aerial gunning)
Management Options—Lethal
• Broad-scale population reduction
– Historical options included:



bounties
trapping (including leg-hold traps)
shooting (including aerial gunning)
– Current options include:


snaring
shooting (lead bullet ban may limit)
– Not widely used in CA today.
Management Options—Lethal
• Targeted removal
– Goal is to remove offending individuals.


alpha pairs often responsible
coyotes with pups increase problems
– Is less expensive.
– Should have little impact on nontarget species.
– More common approach used today.
Management Options—Lethal
• Targeted removal
– Snares
Management Options—Lethal
• Targeted removal
– Snares
– Calling and shooting
Management Options—Lethal
• Targeted removal
– Snares
– Calling and shooting
– Livestock protection collars no
longer used in CA
Management Options—Lethal
• Targeted removal
– Den site (Wildlife Services only)


pup removal reduces depredations
gas cartridges
Management Options—Lethal
• Targeted removal
– Den site (Wildlife Services only)


pup removal reduces depredations
gas cartridges
– Removal over sensitive area


targeted for short period/small area
can be preventative or reactive
Management Options—Impacts
• Fencing
– Can alter wildlife movement.
– Can cause range degradation.
• Guard dogs
– Can harass wildlife.
• Snares
– If used incorrectly, could result in
nontarget take.
Management Options—Example
• Integrated approach
– Fladry to deter.
Scary!
Management Options—Example
• Integrated approach
– Fladry to deter.
– Guard animals to reinforce
deterrent.
Maybe
not…
Management Options—Example
• Integrated approach
– Fladry to deter.
– Guard animals to reinforce
deterrent.
– Lethal removal when other
options fail.
Summary
• Coyotes and other predators are a valuable part of the environment
and often cause little damage.
• When damage occurs, nonlethal approaches are preferred.
• Lethal control will be needed in some situations.
• The integration of a variety of control methods will provide the best
results and have the least impact on the natural ecosystem.
Thanks!