Canada Wolves: In the Field

Until recently, wolf packs were short-lived in southwestern Alberta, with wolves having been nearly eliminated twice in the past century. Conflicts between wolves and livestock operators, coupled with liberal hunting and trapping regulations, have spelled trouble for wolves from the Bow River south to the Montana border.

Four years ago, Defenders joined efforts with other conservationists, local ranchers, the Alberta Trappers Associations, Alberta Beef Producers, local governments, and provincial agency staff to launch a novel approach to resolving age-old conflicts between wolves and people. This unique cast of characters formed the Oldman Basin Carnivore Advisory Group, whose efforts are aimed at reducing predation on livestock while protecting carnivores in Alberta’s cattle country Learn more in this article Finding Ways to Live with Wolves in Cattle Country, pp. 23-24 of April 2006 volume of The Wildlands Advocate.

More specifically, the ambitious goals of the Oldman Basin Carnivore Advisory Group are to:

  • reduce livestock predation by wolves
  • conserve wolf packs
  • retain gene flow between wolves in Canada and the United States
  • test and implement nonlethal methods of wolf management

To achieve these goals, Defenders and its partners are trying to better understand the ecology, behavior and movement of southwestern Alberta’s wolves. In addition, we’re investigating factors that may contribute to livestock depredation—including landscape features, wolf pack stability, availability of natural prey, and livestock husbandry practices.

On-the-Ground with Wolves

Understanding wolves requires watching them in action. With support from the Alberta EcoTrust Foundation and the Wilburforce Foundation, Defenders has enlisted the services of carnivore biologist Charles Mamo to help study the region’s wolf population. Through Mamo’s work, Defenders is gaining valuable insights into pack behavior, wolf population trends, and reported livestock depredations.

This proactive program also allows Defenders to assist ranchers in their efforts to reduce depredation by wolves. By tracking wolves on the ground, we can notify ranchers when wolves are in the area, and help move cattle if necessary. Regular contact with ranchers means that we can carefully listen to their needs—and to their feedback on nonlethal strategies for controlling wolves.

Indeed, some nonlethal methods are showing signs of promise, including the removal of cattle carcasses from pastures, range rider presence at dawn and dusk, and “fladry”—or erecting barriers between wolves and livestock by hanging flags on ropes (learn more here). To encourage ranchers to implement these and other nonlethal methods, Defenders provides financial assistance for targeted projects and documents the results.

Future Challenges

Unfortunately, livestock depredation continues to occur in southwestern Alberta, and many wolves are killed as a result. Given the long history of wolf-cattle conflicts, most ranchers aren't predisposed to being "wolf-friendly." But they are willing to try new solutions—if they feel like they'll be successful.

Defenders recognizes the importance of collecting systematic data on nonlethal methods, and advocates for more standardization and testing. We're currently urging the provincial government to help advance nonlethal wolf control by increasing funding in this area (see Take Action). Meanwhile, we'll persist in our efforts to keep both wolves and livestock safe in southwestern Alberta via unique and proactive partnerships.