Biofence - a new way how to protect livestock against wolf attack
Collecting wolf scat for biofence research
.... along these lines, Wolf Haven International will play a critical role in an experimental program to prevent potential wolf depredation on livestock this year. Wolf Haven Intl. was contacted by the WDFW to collect wolf scat to be used to construct a biofence to prevent depredation on livestock by wolves. A biofence is an invisible barrier to wolf packs; wolf scat and/or urine is strategically placed around an area needing protection from wolf depredation. Since wolves are strongly territorial, any wolves that come in contact with the scent of a different wolf or group of wolves is hesitant to cross into that territory. This technique originated in Africa to keep wild dogs out of villages, with excellent results. In 2010, this technique was used in Idaho with mixed results; two out of three wolf packs were successfully deterred from depredating livestock when a biofence was constructed around the livestock. We are excited to be part of a project that will hopefully prevent wild wolf deaths, and give livestock producers and the WDFW yet another tool to keep our recovering wolves on the landscape.
author: David Ausband
souce: The University of Montana