Moving upstream: Linking novel technology with local perspectives to manage wolf-livestock conflict

This is a continuation of a 2024 CREO award. Washington State is at the northwestern frontier of wolf recolonization, making it both a hotbed for human-wolf conflict and a natural laboratory for understanding the complex social and ecological dynamics underlying these conflicts. The People and Wildlife Lab at the University of Washington has been investigating wolf-human interactions to improve understanding of the social and ecological drivers of conflict, which imperil both wolves, a state endangered species, and in some cases, the livelihoods of the state’s ranchers. This is the second award helping support the efforts of two graduate students to evaluate how cattle behavior changes with proximity to wolves and across habitat types; how vigilance behaviors change over the grazing season; and whether cattle with experience with wolves behave differently than cattle with minimal exposure. These questions will be addressed using tri-axial accelerometers (allowing measurement of cattle head movements and associated behavior); solar-powered, satellite-connected ear tags (allowing measurement of location with real time text/email alerts); and camera traps on cattle-grazing pastures (providing insight into wildlife presence and confirmation of cattle behaviors). These data will be combined with wolf radio collar data from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and predation event information from ranchers. Results will be invaluable to ranchers, allowing them to target husbandry practices that reduce predation risk, and will provide an essential complement to ongoing research and management by WDFW. ($15,000)