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Wolves-RFP-102323
As Colorado prepares to reintroduce wolves to the state by the end of the year, Colorado State University scientists and extension professors are being proactive in preventing conflicts between humans and wolves.
The CSU Center for Human-Carnivore Coexistence and CSU Extension launched the Wolf Conflict Reduction Fund last year to support ranchers with non-lethal approaches to reduce livestock losses caused by wolves. Early contributions to the fund facilitated two projects: the deployment of surveillance cameras in a wolf area in northern Colorado and a knowledge exchange program with ranchers in Montana.
Last fall, Colorado ranchers, Extension professors, CSU researchers, and federal and state biologists traveled to Montana to learn about conflict reduction approaches implemented by ranchers in the region. Blackfoot Challenge, a community accustomed to living with large predators, including wolves and grizzly bears. This month, Montana ranchers in turn visited Colorado to continue sharing their knowledge with Colorado ranchers and help train Extension teachers, who will be a resource to their communities.
“Most ranchers won’t experience direct conflict with wolves, but some will,” said Kevin Crooks, director of the association. Center for Human-Carnivore Coexistence. “For these individual ranchers, when wolves kill, pursue or stress their livestock, the economic and emotional impacts can be considerable, affecting their livelihoods and well-being. »
Crooks said the Wolf Conflict Reduction Fund is intended to support the livelihoods of ranchers in wolf-bearing landscapes and prevent harm to people, livestock and wolves. He hopes to raise enough funds so ranchers and communities can apply for grants to implement tools such as cameras, fences, flags, scare devices, guard dogs, range riders, sustainable breeding and training workshops. Grants will be selected and distributed by a committee comprised of livestock producers, extension professors, CSU scientists, non-governmental organizations, and federal and state wildlife agencies.
“We felt there was both an opportunity and a need for Colorado State University, as a land-grant institution, to work with state residents to prepare them to live with the wolves,” Crooks said.
FIELD RESOURCE
Wolves were eradicated from Colorado in the mid-1940s, but small numbers migrated to northern Colorado several years ago. The center worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Jackson County ranchers who have previously experienced conflicts with wolves to implement methods to prevent wolves from preying on livestock.
The Wolf Conflict Reduction Fund was used to purchase surveillance cameras for area ranchers to monitor their calving pastures, as well as the installation of fencing and flags by Colorado Parks and Wildlife to deter wolves.
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“It’s like having an extra pair of eyes, and it gives a little peace of mind,” said a Jackson County rancher who participated in the camera program.
“It is important that people mobilize to help breeders affected by this situation,” added another breeder. Both preferred to remain anonymous.
Mireille Gonzalez, co-director of the Center for Human-Carnivore Coexistence, said the Wolf Conflict Reduction Fund could help ease the burden on producers who have to pay and implement strategies.
“With the wolf reintroduction date quickly approaching, we are here to support Colorado’s communities and state residents, both humans and wildlife,” Gonzalez said.
SETTING THE TREND ACROSS THE STATE
Since Colorado voters approved the recovery of wolves in the state by a narrow margin in 2020, the Center for Human-Carnivore Coexistence – CHCC for short – and Extension have partnered with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to host wolf activities. awareness in the counties that will be most affected. .
“CSU CHCC and Extension are aware of the concerns that arise from the reintroduction of wolves,” said Travis Duncan, spokesperson for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “They seek to address these concerns and help reduce any potential negative impact on those affected. We’re looking to work with groups like this to provide as many resources as possible through partnerships.
Robin Young, Archuleta County Extension director, helped lead the outreach. Young said bringing together people with diverse viewpoints on the topic has helped ease tensions, as they understand each other’s points of view.
“The Extension Teacher Training featured keynote speakers from Montana’s Blackfoot Challenge, along with ranchers, wildlife biologists, economists and key people from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Colorado Department of Agriculture and nonprofit organizations to have meaningful conversations, find common ground, and review for education and research needs as we move forward with reintroduction,” Young said. “Relationships built build trust among all those impacted by wolves in the landscape. »
Anyone interested in donating to The Wolf Conflict Reduction Fund can donate directly to https://advancing.colostate.edu/WOLFCONFLICTREDUCTION.