How to Trick a Wolf: Manipulating Pack Movements with Biofencing

David E. Ausband,* Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana 59812

Michael S. Mitchell, Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana 59812

Abstract

Wolves (Canis lupus) have a relatively wide distribution in the northern Rockies and can conflict with livestock production in certain areas. Tools currently available to mitigate wolf/ livestock conflict can be short-lived in their effectiveness or altogether ineffective. Wolves use scent-marking to establish territories and avoid intraspecific conflict. We hypothesized that human-deployed scent-marks could be used to manipulate wolf pack movements in Idaho. We deployed 64.7 km of biofence within three wolf pack territories during summer 2010. Location data from collared wolves showed little to no trespass of the biofence. Sign surveys at predicted rendezvous sites yielded little to no recent wolf use of exclusion areas. Lastly, a habitually depredating wolf pack was not implicated in any depredations. Our pilot test provides preliminary evidence that wolf movements can be manipulated using human- distributed scent-marks.

Montana Chapter Of The Wildlife Society 49St Annual Meeting

Multiplying Human Impacts Bordering Open Space: Challenges For Wildlife Habitat And Connectivity Protection

February 22-25, 2011 Missoula, Montana

General Abstracts

Alphabetical By First Author's Last Name (* Denotes Presenter)