ABOUT THE COUGAR

Conflict Prevention & Coexistence

Many individuals and some agencies still feel that the key to preventing conflict and keeping people safe is to hunt cougars and other large carnivores in order to “control” their numbers and distribution. However, there is a considerable body of scientific evidence that suggests killing these predators – particularly cougars and wolves – does little to reduce (and in some cases may actually increase) the incidence rate of conflict with people, pets, and livestock.

A livestock guardian dog (LGD) looks after a flock of sheep (The Grazerie).

That is why some individuals and agencies across the country are actively researching, implementing, and evaluating the effectiveness of non-lethal methods of preventing conflict such as fladry, livestock guardian dogs, and range riders. We believe that it is incredibly important to promote these initiatives, and will continue to share information about non-lethal deterrents and conflict prevention in this space. We can coexist.

Sample Cougar Emergency Response Plan (FL) – This is the very best policy for managing for the prevention of encounters with mountain lions. It responds to conflict situations with common sense, easy to follow formulae of risk assessment, and the rational expectation of safe outcomes for people, pets, livestock, and cougars.
Oregon Wolf Management Compensation and Proactive Trust Fund – Requires livestock producers to implement non-lethal deterrents before they can be compensated for livestock losses or wolves can be lethally removed from the area.
People & Carnivores – Develop and implement non-lethal tools for ranchers, including fencing, guardian animals, and range riders.
Keystone Conservation – Livestock management and wolf/bear coexistence programs.
Wood River Wolf Project – A non-lethal demonstration project in central Idaho.
Livestock and Wolves – Defenders of Wildlife Guide to Non-lethal Tools
Blackfoot Challenge – Electric fencing, carcass removal, and range rider programs in the Blackfoot Valley of Montana.
Wolves and Livestock: A review of tools to deter livestock depredation – Peter Douglas Brown, University of Montana
Lines of Defense: Coping with Predators in the Rocky Mountain Region -Eric Gese (et al) APHIS
LionPolicy (1) California Department of Fish and Wildlife Mountain Lion Response Policy