Does Wolf Management in Latvia Decrease Livestock Depredation? An Analysis of Available Data

Abstract

In Latvia, livestock depredation by wolves has increased during the last two decades. Most of the attacks occur in summer and autumn during wolf hunting season. Use of effective preventive measures in Latvia is low, and farmers primarily rely on wolf hunting as a depredation reduction measure. The total numbers of wolf attacks and number of affected sheep per year in regional forest management units were analyzed in relation to the estimated wolf density, extent of culling, and proportion of juveniles, as well as the sheep density and estimated number of wild prey animals. The response variables (number of attacks and affected sheep per year) were modelled using a negative binomial regression, testing the effects of every covariate separately and building models from the significant covariates. The depredation level was related to sheep density and estimated wolf population size. No reducing effect was found for culling, and an even greater depredation rate was expected when the proportion of culled wolves increased. In addition, no significant effect was associated with the other covariates. However, greater numbers of affected sheep were expected at higher red deer density, suggesting increased opportunistic livestock depredation when red deer locally outcompete roe deer, the preferred wolf prey in Latvia.

Genetic Monitoring of Grey Wolves in Latvia Shows Adverse Reproductive and Social Consequences of Hunting

“…It is not expected that the length of the wolf hunting season in Latvia could be changed or the limits reduced in the near future, as the number of wolves has increased in the last decade [ 30 ], society is mostly satisfied with the existing management system [ 82 ], and hunting is considered a necessary means to reduce depredation, even if its effectiveness in mitigating this conflict remains unclear [ 83 ]. Thus, the results of this study can serve as an assessment of the social structure and genetic characteristics of the harvested wolf population and an initial assessment of the negative impact of hunting on these parameters.…”

Wolf (Canis lupus) Predation in Pastoral Livestock Systems: Case Study in Croatia

“…Šuba et al [47] reported that dominantly surveyed farmers (84.1%) find wolf hunting an effective way to reduce depredation. However, studies showed that wolf hunting may not be efficient in the long-term prevention of depredation.…”

“…It seems that hunting causes unwanted shifts in wolf populations [48][49][50][51][52]. Higher reproduction rates of wolves can be expected, disruptions in pack structure cause more dispersed individuals that will need to hunt, and if pups' parents or older members of the pack are culled out, other members of the pack need provide food for them, and livestock becomes available and easier prey [47][48][49][50][51][52]. Thus, killing wolves should not be the only method used in the prevention of depredation, and non-lethal methods are suggested [53].…”

Real-Time Threat Prevention System for Mitigating Intrusions by Dogs in Livestock Farming using IoT and Machine Learning

“…Based on an extensive examination of pertinent literature and research, encompassing an exploration of challenges within the Thai context, a common cause of injuries and fatalities among farm animals has been identified-dog bites, particularly those inflicted by stray or ownerless dogs, affecting animals such as goats and sheep [11], [12], [13], [14]. In instances where domesticated animals suffer injuries or perish due to dog bites, there exists a notable absence of avenues to seek compensation for damages or incurred treatment costs, resulting in substantial livelihood losses for farmers.…”