Adrian Treves & Kerry Martin / UW-Madison-MADISON
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This map portrays high-risk areas of wolf attacks on livestock in Wisconsin.New Map Aids Problem Prevention
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources have developed a map to pinpoint areas at high risk of wolf attacks on livestock or pets in the hope of preventing wolf-human conflicts.
As the gray wolf may be removed from its endangered listing this year by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the map may become an important management tool.
“It allows us to look broadly at where some of our biggest problems are likely to be so we can be more proactive in dealing with those problems,” says Adrian Wydeven, mammalian ecologist for the DNR.
The map was created by Adrian Treves, head of the UW-Madison Carnivore Coexistence Laboratory, working with Adrian Wydeven and others of the DNR.
Adrian Treves analyzed 133 documented attacks from 1999 to 2006 to develop the map, which shows the areas of the state where a wolf attack on livestock would most likely occur.
Residents in these high-risk areas should take precautions with pets and livestock to reduce the chance of predation.
Red indicates a high risk. “Pets might be attacked if you live within these areas,” says Adrian Wydeven.
He suggests some ways to reduce potential problems.
• Keep pets and livestock near home and do not feed pets outside or leave a food dish outside.
• Keep young or sick animals close to shelter.
• Remove or bury any animal carcasses, such as from road accidents.
• Have secure fencing around livestock or pet kennels.
• If wolves are seen, make noises to scare them away.
– Manda Lillie