The Cougar Fund
  • Our Work
    • Education
      • The Cougar Fund has educational resources for a wide variety of ages and groups.

      • Wild Lives
      • Overview
      • Programs & Resources
      • Books & Videos
    • Science & Conservation
      • The Cougar Fund was founded to help ensure the conservation and protection of cougars.

      • Overview
      • The Cougar Fund & B-Wild Mexico
      • Protecting Females & Kittens
      • Conservation Research
      • Cougar Researcher Bios
    • Advocacy
      • Learn what is happening in your state and how you can help protect these incredible animals.

      • Overview
      • State by State
      • How to Help
      • Donate
  • About the Cougar
    • Overview
    • Family Life
    • Living with Cougars
    • Conflict Prevention & Coexistence
    • Cougar News
    • Historical Timeline
    • Books & Videos
  • About Us
    • Our Mission & History
    • Our Team
    • Programs
    • Policy Comments
    • Partners
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Contact
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
    • Gift & Estate Planning
  • News + Media
  • Search
  • Menu Menu

Tuesday Tribute: The Grazerie, Alberta

February 24, 2014/in Blog, Tuesday Tribute
Eric & Louise of The Grazerie (Photo credit: predator-friendly-ranching.blogspot.com)

Eric & Louise of The Grazerie (Photo credit: predator-friendly-ranching.blogspot.com)

Just as wildlife know no boundaries, we are heading north of the border to Canada this week! The Cougar Fund recently had the privilege of speaking with Alberta rancher Louise Liebenberg, whose ranch The Grazerie was the first certified Predator Friendly ranch in Canada. Located near the town of High Prairie in north central Alberta, The Grazerie is situated right in the middle of cougar, wolf, coyote, and black bear territory. As a result, raising sheep and cattle in the area comes with a number of unique challenges. So, how have they fared?

When Louise and her husband moved to Alberta from the Netherlands to start up their new operation, they made a big decision: they wouldn’t rely on shooting predators to prevent conflict (a commitment they symbolically honored by not purchasing a gun). Lethal removal of potentially troublesome predators was a road they wanted to avoid if possible, as she and her husband Eric shared an equal appreciation for livestock and wildlife. Right from the get-go, then, they were committed to ranching based on non-lethal deterrents and coexistence.

To prevent conflict with predators, The Grazerie employs a number of interesting strategies, including: livestock guardian dogs, various fencing designs, night corralling for sheep, and lambing at specific times of year when the risk of depredation is reduced. While these methods have been very successful, Louise admitted that it’s a “delusion” to think depredation is entirely preventable, before sharing that they had suffered some takes by predators. She reiterated how this is simply a part of the business they’re in, and thus, their goal is to minimize conflict to the greatest degree possible.

A livestock guardian dog (photo credit: predator-friendly-ranching.blogspot.com)

One of The Grazerie’s livestock guardian dog (photo credit: predator-friendly-ranching.blogspot.com)

What was most striking about Louise was her sincere belief that it was her responsibility as a rancher to prevent conflict. She lamented how “the system” in place doesn’t incentivize innovation in conflict prevention, and as a result, many ranchers are content to suffer losses so long as they are compensated. We discussed how a better system might be one that compensated only those who had taken all reasonable measures to prevent depredation (a similar system is currently in place in Oregon). Despite these frustrations, Louise is committed to the way The Grazerie does things, and takes much pride in the fact their their methods protect wildlife; wildlife that belongs to the public, she was sure to remind me.

Moving forward, Louise hopes to bring more awareness to the importance of predator friendly ranching – both to the public and other ranchers. She hopes that sometime in the near future, The Grazerie will be able to capitalize on their predator friendly certification and do more direct marketing. Before wrapping up our conversation, I had to ask: are there cougars hanging out around the ranch? Louise, much to my surprise, explained how she doesn’t lose too much sleep over the cats (her LGD’s effectively keep them at bay). This was music to my ears!

The Cougar Fund believes that ranchers like Louise (in addition to farmers, private landowners, and even corporations) can be great allies in conservation*, and we are deeply appreciative of the amazing work they do. Their efforts to promote coexistence between people, livestock, and predators ensure a future for everyone. So, we must extend a huge thank you to The Grazerie!

To learn more about Louise and The Grazerie, visit:
http://www.grazerie.com/
http://predator-friendly-ranching.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Grazerie

*Unfortunately, ranchers do not always get the credit they deserve, and critics (many of whom are conservationists like us) are quick to generalize and chastise them.  But, as Louise and I both acknowledged, the alternative to family owned and operated ranches is almost always less desirable (think: subdivision, or industrial ag with less regard for wildlife). Thus, it is increasingly important that we view ranchers as part of the solution, not the problem. Breaking down old barriers and opening new lines of communication is a great place to start.

https://cougarfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/CougarFundBlack.png 0 0 Penny https://cougarfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/CougarFundBlack.png Penny2014-02-24 21:48:472014-02-24 21:48:47Tuesday Tribute: The Grazerie, Alberta

Stay Connected

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
Remember all the things you did before they went into the den?BEAR SPRAY, MAKE NOISE, RECREATE IN GROUPS, FOOD STORAGE PRECAUTIONS, and be aware that energy out is very expensive for a bear after not eating for a few months so if there is a trail or winter track, that is probably the route the bear will choose...
Lets protect them by minding our own behaviour!

Remember all the things you did before they went into the den?BEAR SPRAY, MAKE NOISE, RECREATE IN GROUPS, FOOD STORAGE PRECAUTIONS, and be aware that energy out is very expensive for a bear after not eating for a few months so if there is a trail or winter track, that is probably the route the bear will choose...
Let's protect them by minding our own behaviour!(News Release) On Tuesday, March 7, a Yellowstone National Park wildlife biologist on a radio telemetry flight observed the first grizzly bear of 2023 to emerge from hibernation. The adult bear, estimated at 300-350 pounds, was seen near the remains of a bison carcass in Pelican Valley, in the central-eastern part of the park.

The first bear sighting of 2022 also occurred on March 7.

Male grizzlies come out of hibernation in early March. Females with cubs emerge in April and early May. When bears emerge from hibernation, they look for food and often feed on elk and bison that died over the winter. Sometimes, bears will react aggressively to encounters with people when feeding on carcasses.

“Spring visitors skiing, snowshoeing, or hiking in Yellowstone National Park are reminded to carry bear spray and be especially alert for bears near carcasses and areas with early spring green-up. These are the first foods sought out by grizzlies after emerging from hibernations,” said Kerry Gunther, the park's bear management biologist.

All of Yellowstone National Park is bear country: from the deepest backcountry to the boardwalks around Old Faithful. The park restricts certain visitor activities in locations where there is a high density of bears, along with elk and bison carcasses. Restrictions will begin in some bear management areas on March 10.

Learn more about how to protect yourself and the bears that people come here to enjoy: go.nps.gov/23006
... See MoreSee Less

3 weeks ago
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • Likes: 112
  • Shares: 8
  • Comments: 4

Comment on Facebook

I'm in the Southern Sangre de Cristo mountains. It's been a mild winter, very little snow, so I'm betting the Black Bears will be popping out soon.

I would love to see a bear. (From a safe distance for both of us, of course).

Better yet, don't stop being responsible in the wilderness under a false sense of security provided by pop-media ideas that they're in comas underground. Bears experience wakefulness during their supposed hibernation, and especially during periods of warmer weather they will come out for snacks.

Please protect our bear’s from Stupid people!!!!

Play

PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS!
UTAH WILDLIFE CONSERVATION EMERGENCY
A couple of days ago we a shared delightful national article about cutting edge studies of cougars in Utah. Today those cougars need your help. HB469 will remove management of mountain lions from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and allow them to be HUNTED and TRAPPED year round without limit or regulation. HB469 passed without notice or opportunity for public comment. Wildlife is held in trust for ALL the public, not a few special interest groups. Elected officials also represent more than a few stakeholders and need to seek advice from seasoned researchers and scientists before making decisions about wildlife. Please POLITELY ask Governor Cox at 801-538-1000 to not sign HB469, currently on his desk. or email cs.utah.gov/s/submit
The video below was shared by Denise and the crew of @Utah Mountain Lion Conservation who are working tirelessly to study and protect lions and ensure their place as a keystone species in Utah.
... See MoreSee Less

3 weeks ago
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • Likes: 14
  • Shares: 27
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

Congratulations to Denise Peterson, dedicated to mountain lions, and to sharing the results of her hard work.
Thank you Denise!
... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Trail Camera Catches Something Conservationists Have Been Dying To See

www.msn.com

Denise M. Peterson had been waiting months for this. Ever since Peterson, founder of the Utah Mountain Lion Conservation, noticed a female and male mountain lion roaming the area together, she'd been ...
4 weeks ago
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • Likes: 16
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 2

Comment on Facebook

Thanks! I can't wait to get back up to check these cams to see how they're doing!

I saw this on The Dodo this morning. A mom with two kittens!

On this Presidents Day, did you know that Ronald Reagan played a key role in banning mountain lion hunting in California? As Governor, he signed a moratorium in 1971 that protected these majestic animals from being hunted and killed for sport. This ban was not permanent and needed to be approved by California voters through a referendum in 1990 in order to become law.

On this President's Day, did you know that Ronald Reagan played a key role in banning mountain lion hunting in California? As Governor, he signed a moratorium in 1971 that protected these majestic animals from being hunted and killed for sport. This ban was not permanent and needed to be approved by California voters through a referendum in 1990 in order to become law. ... See MoreSee Less

1 month ago
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • Likes: 71
  • Shares: 9
  • Comments: 1

Comment on Facebook

Good (especially for me) to know! Why re: that part in the parentheses? I have always been VERY highly critical of him as a politician and as a president, and I have pretty much never said anything nice about him, either very rarely, if not EVER. So this little tidbit of information was helpful for me, and at least it gives me something positive that I can appreciate about him.

EXPLORE

Our Mission & History
Frequently Asked Questions

ABOUT THE COUGAR

Overview
Cougar News
Living with Cougars

CONNECT

Sign-Up for E-News
Contact Us
Volunteer
Employment

GIVE

Donate Now
Shop – Coming Soon

The Cougar Fund is 501(c)3 non-profit
EIN: 31-1796418
P.O. Box 122
Jackson, WY 83001

Signup for our Newsletter!

Photography & Video by Thomas D. Mangelsen and Wild Nature Media.
© 2022 The Cougar Fund. All rights reserved.

The Cougar Fund is proud to announce our new blog!What To Do Wednesday: Issue #1
Scroll to top