Guard dogs prevent grizzly bear conflict
Published 2024
Working with Dr. Julie Young (Utah State University) we found livestock guardian dogs were effective at deterring grizzly bears from farms on the prairie of North-Central Montana. We gave large dogs to four farms and found that once guard dogs were placed grizzly collar locations near those homes were reduced 87%. Additionally, there was a 58 fold reduction in camera trap detections of bears at farms after dogs were deployed. Agricultural producers considered the dogs effective and would recommend to others. Read the article in the Biodiversity Conservation or by clicking here.
scare devices prevent grizzly bear conflict
Published 2024
Grizzly bears expanding out onto the prairie of North-Central Montana has demonstrated the successful recovery of the species, however, it has came with the unintended consequence of conflict and people upset with having to live with a potentially dangerous animal. We placed affordable scare devices on 21 farms where grizzlies were accessing grain spills. Out of those sites bears were deterred from 11 farms, which prevented additional management actions. Scare devices had a 44% reduction in the odds grain would be access by bears. Read the full article in the Journal of Wildlife Management or by clicking here.
mountain goats need air conditioning
Published 2020
We found that mountain goats seek out snow patches on hot summer days to cool off, which reduces their metabolic expenditure from panting. Despite the loss of 85% of glaciers in in Glacier National Park, summer’s remnant snow patches are an important place by which animals reduce heat stress and potentially hyperthermia. How will goats cope with climate change? Read the full article in the PLOS ONE journal or by clicking here.
escape terrain for survival
Published 2020
Mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) are well known for their use of cliffs to avoid predation, but the literature has at least twelve different approximations of goat escape terrain, ranging from > 25° to > 50° slopes. Our results from goat-grizzly bear interactions suggest that goat escape terrain should be considered at slopes of 60°. It is critical to understand escape terrain so reintroductions and protections occur in the correct locations. Read the full article in PeerJ or click here.
blackfeet livestock risk from grizzlies
Published 2017
To prioritize conflict prevention efforts we examined 23 years of data on livestock depredation by grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) across the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Since 1993 livestock loss by grizzlies has increased an average of 6% per year and depredations were positively associated with warmer weather. We found that locations closer to trees and bushes had the highest chance of livestock loss, with depredation decreasing 30% only 100 meters away from cover. By moving cattle away from trees and shrubs during the spring-summer, producers can greatly reduce their risk of losses.
Mass tourism changes wildlife behavior
Published 2017
A key goal of protected areas is maintaining biodiversity and natural functions. Yet, the presence of thousands of people alters ecology. Mountain goats around tourists were released from the risk of predators while they were also able to obtain salt from human urine. Our findings re-enforce the increasing complexities of natural area management because visitation is altering ecological interactions. Read the full article in Biological Conservation or by clicking here.
nomads have positive affect on argali
Published 2017
The density of argali (Ovis ammon), the world's largest wild sheep, at Ikh Nart Nature Reserve is the highest in Mongolia, yet livestock were >90% of large mammal biomass. Due to this superabundance of domestic animals in the reserve, wolves prey on the more available livestock, which reduces predation on argali. Read the full article in Conservation Biology or by clicking here.
conservation pays off - nomads and argali
Published 2016
Using a short questionnaire, we interviewed pastoralist families across Ikh Nart Nature Reserve, Mongolia. We found that 15 years of conservation activities—education, research, and modest ecotourism—that occurred in the northern soum led to influences on people’s perceptions toward argali conservation. People exposed to conservation activities were more likely to know argali were protected. Nomads across the reserve felt that it is important to protect argali and that climate change is the biggest threat to the species. Read the full article in Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity or by clicking here.
