Lynx Depredation on Domestic Sheep in Norway

Abstract

We studied depredation rates on free-ranging domestic sheep (Ovis aries) by Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in 2 areas in Norway to test whether selected individuals or a demographic group within a lynx population kill a disproportionate share of livestock. During 6 grazing seasons from 1994 to 1999 , we monitored 34 radiocollared lynx during 641tracking periods (either all night or during a full 24-hr period). Sixty-three domestic sheep and 3 domestic goats were killed by radiocollared lynx during these periods. All of the radiocollared lynx had access to free-ranging domestic sheep within their annual home ranges. Male lynx killed sheep more frequently than females and were responsible for 12 out of 13 cases of surplus killing. After adjusting for number of nights monitored, sheep-killing rates among males differed slightly, whereas the differences between individual females were correlated with the number of sheep available. There were no indications of any special "problem individuals," but rather a "problem sex." Therefore, it seems to be intrinsic in their behavior that males are likely to kill domestic animals more frequently than females. The lack of specific problem individuals in this study might depend on the livestock-herding technique used in Norway, where sheep generally are free-ranging and unattended throughout a lynx's home range. Selective removal of depredating males requires that the gap in the social mosaic either remains unfilled or is filled by an individual that causes less damage to livestock. The effects of such removal on sheep depredation are likely to be only temporary since all adult and yearling male lynx appear to kill sheep.

Diet of Eurasian lynx, Lynx lynx, in the boreal forest of southeastern Norway: the relative importance of livestock and hares at low roe deer density

“…In Western Europe, lynx also prey on domestic sheep (Stahl et al 2001;Odden et al 2002;Herfindal et al 2005a,b). Depredation on sheep is a major obstacle for successful conservation of lynx in the multi-use landscapes of Europe, and the conflict is far higher in Norway compared to any other European country (Kaczensky 1996).…”

“…One important question concerning depredation ecology is whether carnivores regard livestock as prey, or if carnivores just kill livestock that are encountered by chance during movements associated with hunting wild prey and territory maintenance (Odden et al 2002;Moa et al 2006). Free-ranging and unguarded sheep represent a predictable and easily killed prey that lack most anti-predator behaviours.…”

Conservation conflicts involving mammals in Europe

“…Large carnivore depredation on livestock and big game species occurs in most European regions, particularly in eastern and northern areas (e. g. Odden et al 2002Odden et al , 2006Kovarik et al 2014). Over the last decades, populations of large carnivores have recovered in many European areas, either because of natural expansion or reintroduction programs (e. g. Linnell et al 2009).…”

“…For example, in the Republic of Macedonia the level of interaction with this species is very low, and the lynx does not appear to be a species associated with conflicts (Lescureux et al 2011). However, lynx frequently prey on game ungulates, such as roe deer, and livestock (e. g. Odden et al 2002;Gervasi et al 2014), causing a low acceptance of their presence in some areas, which results in persecution and illegal killing (Andrén et al 2006). This causes conflicts between conservationists and hunters and livestock breeders, particularly in areas where lynx populations are recovering and expanding (e. g. Liukkonen et al 2009;Breitenmoser et al 2010).…”

Can we separate the sinners from the scapegoats?

“…Comparative telemetry data from rogue and nonrogue seals would have been particularly interesting as it has often been used in comparative studies of terrestrial carnivores (e.g. Odden et al, 2002), as would the use of welldesigned adaptive management experiments where the impact of seal removal was monitored.…”