Depredation Rates Research Articles

Marking Nests Increases the Frequency of Nest Depredation in a Northern Population of Painted Turtles (Chrysemys Picta)

Predators use visual and olfactory cues to locate turtle nests. Since 1999, we marked Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) nests at a long-term study site by inserting Popsicle™ sticks part way into the nest cavity. Because nest-marking provides a cue to potential predators, we tested whether nest-marking increases nest depredation rates. During the nesting season, 15 artificial nest pairs (N = 30 artificial nests in total) were created by digging and refilling holes (presumably emulating nest excavation by turtles) at a nesting site. Nests in each pair were 45 cm apart, but only one nest in each pair was marked with a Popsicle™ stick, and no eggs were placed in either hole. After one week, depredation was observed in nine of the 15 nest pairs, and all depredation events were directed towards marked nests. A Binomial Test revealed that this pattern was significantly nonrandom. It is possible that predators were responding to olfactory cues left by Popsicle™ sticks, and given that mammalian predators are common at our study site, we cannot rule out the possibility that such olfactory-oriented predators depredated artificial nests. However, we suspect that Common Ravens (Corvus corax) and American Crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos; nest predators that are visually oriented) were the primary predators in this study. Future experiments should use turtle eggs in both marked and unmarked nests to evaluate whether the markers represent a significant mortality factor for Painted Turtle eggs.

Livestock loss caused by predators outside the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Human–carnivore conflict is a serious management issue often causing opposition towards conservation efforts. In a survey of 481 households in seven different villages outside the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, 67.4% of respondents owned livestock and 27.4% of all the households surveyed reported losses of a total of 4.5% of their livestock to wild predators over 12 months. This loss equated to an average annual financial loss of 19.2% (US $26.8) of their cash income. Livestock depredation was reported to be caused most often by spotted hyena ( Crocuta crocuta) (97.7%), leopard ( Panthera pardus) (1.6%), baboon ( Papio cynocephalus) (0.4%), lion ( Panthera leo) (0.1%) and lastly black-backed jackal ( Canis mesomelas) (0.1%). Total reported losses during 2003 amounted to US $12,846 of which spotted hyena kills were reported to account for 98.2%. The mean annual livestock loss per household (of those that reported loss) was 5.3 head of stock, which represents more than two-thirds of the local average annual cash income. Depredation by large felids occurred only in a narrow zone along the protected area (<3 km), whereas spotted hyenas killed livestock even in households located far away (>30 km). Tolerance of livestock depredation among the respondents was low. Logistic regression models indicated that education improved tolerance, while for livestock owners higher depredation rates was linked to approval of lethal retaliation and effective protection measures was associated with a reduced desire of retaliation. We recommend that further research should identify the precise causes of livestock loss and which protection measures that can reduce depredation.

Spatial, temporal, and physical characteristics of livestock depredations by large carnivores along a Kenyan reserve border

Most large mammalian carnivores are in global decline, largely due to their involvement in livestock depredation. Research that advances our understanding of predator–livestock interactions is crucial to conflict mitigation and carnivore conservation. Here we investigated the influence of environmental and socio-ecological factors on livestock depredation by carnivores in pastoral villages adjacent to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya during a 14-month period. We attempted to identify factors associated with temporal and spatial variation in depredation rates, incorporating data on a closely monitored spotted hyena ( Crocuta crocuta) population known to be involved in depredation events. Spotted hyenas, leopards ( Panthera pardus) and lions ( Panthera leo) were responsible for 53%, 32%, and 15% of attacks on livestock, respectively. Monthly depredation frequency was correlated positively with rainfall and negatively with natural prey abundance. Radio-telemetry revealed that hyenas defending a group territory within the Reserve spent more time outside the Reserve during months when hyena attacks on livestock were most frequent. Results of logistic regression models, which indicated spotted hyenas were most likely to attack large villages, were supported by behavioral observations of hyenas near villages. Leopards however, selected villages that were spatially isolated from other villages. Hyenas were more likely to attack livestock enclosures constructed of local bush material than those of more sturdy “pole” timber, but use of pole material more than doubled the probability of leopard attack. Selection of fence type should therefore depend on the size and relative isolation of villages. Overall, improved fences, more watch dogs, and high levels of human activity were not associated with lower livestock losses to predators.

Effects of Edge Habitat and Nest Characteristics on Depredation of Artificial Nests in Fragmented Australian Tropical Rainforest

Variation in nest predation levels associated with rainforest fragmentation (edge effects) was assessed in Australia's Wet Tropics bioregion. Artificial nests were placed in the forest understorey at seven edge sites where continuous forest adjoined pasture, seven interiors (about 1 km from the edge), and six linear riparian forest remnants (50–100 m wide) that were connected to continuous forest. Four nest types were also compared, representing different combinations of two factors; height (ground, shrub) and shape (open, domed). At each site, four nests of each type, containing one quail egg and two model plasticine eggs, were interspersed about 15 m apart within a 160 m transect during September–October 2001. Predators were identified from marks on the plasticine eggs. The overall depredation rate was 66.5% of 320 nests' contents damaged over a three-day period. Large rodents, especially the rat Uromys caudimaculatus, and birds, especially the spotted catbird Ailuroedus melanotis, were the main predators. Mammals comprised 56.5% and birds 31.0% of predators, with 12.5% of unknown identity. The depredation rate did not vary among site-types, or between open and domed nests, and there were no statistically significant interactions. Nest height strongly affected depredation rates by particular types of predator; depredation rates by mammals were highest at ground nests, whereas attacks by birds were most frequent at shrub nests. These effects counterbalanced so that overall there was little net effect of nest height. Mammals accounted for 78.4% of depredated ground nests and birds for at least 47.4% of shrub nests (and possibly up to 70.1%). The main predators were species characteristic of rainforest, rather than habitat generalists, open-country or edge specialists. For birds that nest in the tropical rainforest understorey of the study region, it is unlikely that edges and linear remnants presently function as ecological population sinks due to mortality associated with increased nest predation.

Perceived Effectiveness of Livestock-Guarding Dogs Placed on Namibian Farms

Evaluations of 117 livestock-guarding dogs placed on Namibian farms between January 1994 and November 2001 were conducted as part of a study aimed at reducing livestock depredation rates on both commercial and communal farmland. The perceptions of livestock farmers were evaluated in terms of their satisfaction with the guarding dogs, the level of care given to the dogs, and the attentiveness, trustworthiness, and protectiveness of the dogs. Guarding dogs were very successful in terms of reducing livestock losses, with 73% of responding farmers reporting a large decline in losses since acquisition of a guarding dog, and the same percentage seeing an economic benefit to having the dog. Farmer satisfaction with the dogs was high, with 93% of farmers willing to recommend the program, and the care given to the dogs was also good. The dogs exhibited high levels of protectiveness and attentiveness, although trustworthiness was relatively low. The level of care provided by farmers was lower for older dogs than for younger dogs, and older dogs appeared to be less trustworthy than young dogs. There were no obvious differences in effectiveness between the sexes, or between dogs placed on communal farms and those on commercial ranches. The majority of dogs exhibited behavioral problems at some stage, particularly chasing game, staying at home, and harassing livestock, but corrective training solved 61% of the reported problems. We conclude that with the correct training and care, livestock-guarding dogs can be an effective method of livestock protection on Namibian farmlands.

Nest predation of grassland bird species increases with parental activity at the nest

Alexander Skutch predicted that nest predation will increase with activity at nests, and that predation should be greatest during the nestling stage when parents are feeding young. We tested this hypothesis using three ecologically similar grassland bird species nesting on the high altitude grasslands of Wakkerstroom, South Africa. Parental activity, measured as adult arrival and departure frequency from the nest, was greater during the nestling than incubation stage. Nest predation, however, did not increase with parental activity between these stages in all three study species. However, nest site effects could have confounded this result. We therefore conducted an experiment that controlled for parental activity (by reusing natural nests of the study species with artificial clutches) in order to test for nest site effects. Nests that had a high rate of predation when used by active parents had a correspondingly high rate of depredation when the same nests were reused with artificial clutches (i.e. after controlling for parental activity). This result supports the notion that variation in nest site quality is the primary factor affecting nest predation rate. We also tested whether high predation during incubation is related to nest site effects. Nest predation rates of experimental clutches placed in reused nests that had been originally (when active parents were present) depredated during incubation stage were significantly higher than those that were originally depredated during the nestling stage. Finally, once nest site effects were accounted for, nest predation showed a positive increase with parental activity during the nestling stage across species.

Perceived Effectiveness of Livestock-Guarding Dogs Placed on Namibian Farms

Evaluations of117 livestock-guarding dogs placed on Namibian farms between January 1994 and November 2001 were conducted as part of a study aimed at reducing livestock depredation rates on both commercial and communal farmland. The perceptions of livestock farmers were evaluated in terms of their satisfaction with the guarding dogs, the level of care given to the dogs, and the attentiveness, trustworthiness, and protectiveness of the dogs. Guarding dogs were very successful in terms of reducing livestock losses, with 73% of responding farmers reporting a large decline in losses since acquisition of a guarding dog, and the same percentage seeing an economic benefit to having the dog. Farmer satisfaction with the dogs was high, with 93% of farmers willing to recommend the program, and the care given to the dogs was also good. The dogs exhibited high levels of protectiveness and attentiveness, although trustworthiness was relatively low. The level of care provided by farmers was lower for older dogs than for younger dogs, and older dogs appeared to be less trustworthy than young dogs. There were no obvious differences in effectiveness between the sexes, or between dogs placed on communal farms and those on commercial ranches.The majority of dogs exhibited behavioral problems at some stage, particularly chasing game, staying at home, and harassing livestock, but corrective training solved 61% of the reported problems. We conclude that with the correct training and care, livestock-guarding dogs can be an effective method of livestock protection on Namibian farmlands

Limiting Depredation by African Carnivores: the Role of Livestock Husbandry

Abstract: Most large carnivore species are in global decline. Conflict with local people, particularly over depredation on livestock, is a major cause of this decline, affecting both nominally protected populations and those outside protected areas. For this reason, techniques that can resolve conflicts between large carnivores and livestock farmers may make important contributions to conservation. We monitored rates of livestock depredation by lions ( Panthera leo), leopards (Panthera pardus), cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), and spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta), and retributive killing of these species by farmers in livestock‐producing areas of Laikipia District, Kenya. Farmers killed more lions, leopards, and spotted hyenas where these predators killed more livestock. Livestock husbandry had a clear effect on rates of depredation and hence on the numbers of predators killed. Cattle, sheep, and goats experienced the lowest predation rates when attentively herded by day and enclosed in traditional corrals (bomas) by night. Construction of the boma, the presence of watchdogs, and high levels of human activity around the boma were all associated with lower losses to predators. Although most of this work was carried out on commercial ranches, local Maasai and Samburu pastoralists have practiced nearly identical forms of husbandry for generations. Our study shows that traditional, low‐tech husbandry approaches can make an important contribution to the conservation of large carnivores.

Landowners and cat predation across rural-to-urban landscapes

Fluctuations of bird abundances have been attributed to such factors as supplemental feeding, landscape change, and habitat fragmentation. Notably absent from consideration, however, is the role of private landowners and their actions, such as owning free-ranging domestic cats ( Felis catus; cats allowed free access to the outdoors). To understand the impacts of cat predation on birds, we surveyed all 1694 private landowners living on three breeding bird survey (BBS) routes (∼120 km) that represent a continuum of rural-to-urban landscapes in Southeastern Michigan, where the majority (>90%) of land is privately owned. Our data indicate that among the 58.5% of landowners that responded, one quarter of them owned outdoor cats. On average a cat depredated between 0.7 and 1.4 birds per week. A total of 23+ species (12.5% of breeding species) were on the list of being killed, including two species of conservation concern (Eastern Bluebirds and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds). Across the three landscapes there were ∼800 to ∼3100 cats, which kill between ∼16,000 and ∼47,000 birds during the breeding season, resulting in a minimum of ∼1 bird killed/km/day. While the number and density (no./ha) of free-ranging cats per landowner differed across the rural to urban landscapes, depredation rates were similar. Landowner participation in bird feeding showed no relationship with the number of free-ranging cats owned. Similarly, selected demographic characteristics of landowners were not significantly related to the number of free-ranging cats owned. Our results, even taken conservatively, indicate that cat predation most likely plays an important role in fluctuations of bird populations and should receive more attention in wildlife conservation and landscape studies.

Influence of nest concealment and distance to habitat edge on depredation rates of simulated grassland bird nests in southeast Kansas

Many features appear to influence avian nest success, and nest concealment and distance to habitat edge are among the most influential. We placed simulated bird nests baited with House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) eggs in two riparian grasslands to document the influence of these two habitat characteristics on nest depredation rates. Over three trials, 49% of nests (n = 105) were depredated with a mean daily survival rate of 0.908 (± 0.012 SE). Side and overhead concealment of depredated and undisturbed nests did not differ in any consistent manner, and logistic regression models indicated that nest fate was not influenced by the amount of vegetative concealment surrounding a nest. Depredated simulated nests were closer to habitat edges than undisturbed nests during only one of three trials, suggesting nest depredation was not strongly influenced by habitat edges. Our results indicate that in simulated grassland bird nests baited with sparrow eggs, concealment may be more influential on nest fate than distance to habitat edges. We recommend that future studies of simulated songbird nests use songbird-sized eggs to insure that the potential suite of nest predators is sampled by simulated nests.

Relative contributions of organochlorine contaminants, parasitism, and predation to reproductive success of eastern spiny softshell turtles (Apalone spiniferus spiniferus) from southern Ontario, Canada.

We examined hatching success, predation rates, rates of parasitism, sex ratio, and egg viability in eggs of the eastern spiny softshell (Apalone spiniferus spiniferus), a threatened species in Canada. Eggs were monitored from three populations, located at Thames River, Rondeau Provincial Park, and the Long Point National Wildlife Area, in southern Ontario, Canada in 1998. Concurrently, we measured organochlorine pesticides, PCBs, dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans from eggs from the same nests. Contaminant concentrations in eggs were similar among sites. There was no correlation between hatching success, parasitism and depredation rates, or the proportion of hatchlings that were males with total PCBs or individual pesticides, but there was a positive correlation between egg viability with concentrations in eggs of total PCBs, and with five pesticides. We found no evidence that the reproductive success of softshell turtles was compromised due to organochlorine contamination. The most important factors determining hatching success of eggs was predation, followed by egg viability and parasitism.

Breeding behaviour and performance of the Knysna Warbler Bradypterus sylvaticus on the Cape Peninsula, South Africa

Three pairs of Knysna Warblers were monitored on the south-eastern slopes of Table Mountain during the 2000 breeding season. Males displayed alone on territories until the second half of August, when females arrived. Nest-building (8 days) and incubation (16 days) were undertaken entirely by the female, who was not fed on the nest by the male. Chick provisioning was done mainly by the male. Arachnids and terrestrial amphipods were the most common prey brought to chicks. The fledging period was 12 days. Modal clutch size was three eggs, and depredation rates of eggs and chicks were high. After losses, replacement clutches were laid on average 19 days later, after a new nest was built. A maximum of three clutches per pair was recorded. Of 18 eggs monitored, 28% hatched and 17% fledged, equating to a production of one fledgling per pair per year. Ten days after fledging, the entire family leaves the territory, males probably returning once young are independent. The main threats to the local populations are clearing of riparian undergrowth and management practices that impact the predators of rodents.

Avian response to warm-season grass use in pasture and hayfield management

Populations of most avian species associated with grasslands have declined in North America over the last few decades. These declines may be related, in part, to changes in species composition and management of pastures and hayfields. The incorporation of native, warm-season grasses into pasture and hayfield management has been suggested as a means of providing suitable habitat for birds in agricultural areas. To examine this, we compared avian abundance, richness, and reproductive success in warm- [i.e. switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum) and big bluestem ( Andropogon gerardii)] and cool-season grass [i.e. orchardgrass ( Dactylis glomerata)] fields on private farms in southwest Pennsylvania. Point counts, nest monitoring, and vegetation sampling were conducted on nine pairs (warm- and cool-season grass) of fields in 1996, and 12 pairs of fields in 1997. Compared with cool-season grass fields, warm-season grass fields supported a greater abundance and richness of birds, including several declining species [e.g. song sparrows ( Melospiza melodia), field sparrows ( Spizella pusilla), chipping sparrows ( Spizella passerina), grasshopper sparrows ( Ammodramus savannarum), and vesper sparrows ( Pooccetes gramineus)]. Additionally, due to lower nest destruction and depredation rates, birds in warm-season grass fields had greater nest success and fledge rates. The positive response of birds to the use of warm-season grasses in pastures and hayfields appears to be due to the increased availability of undisturbed cover. Thus, the establishment of warm-season grasses in pastures and hayfields should be an avian conservation and management priority. Convincing farmers to use warm-season grasses in their fields should not be difficult, as several state and federal programs fund their establishment, and the use of these grasses increases forage production and farm income.

Mountain lion depredation in southern Brazil

Mountain lion ( Puma concolor) depredation incidents on livestock herds were recorded at 15 ranches in southern Brazil from 1993 to 1995. Maximum losses to mountain lions were 78% for goats, 84% for sheep, and 16% for cattle. Cattle mortality arising from causes other than depredation assumed a greater importance in herd productivity. In contrast, attacks on sheep and goats were more frequent than losses to other causes, but could be reduced to acceptable levels when flocks were corralled at night. Most depredation incidents occurred when weather and light conditions were unfavorable to human activity. We explain these patterns and inter-ranch variation in depredation rates on the basis of a risk-avoidance strategy by the mountain lions. Stock losses can be minimized by understanding these patterns and by applying appropriate herd husbandry, thus reducing the urge to persecute this protected species.

Lynx Depredation on Domestic Sheep in Norway

We studied depredation rates on free-ranging domestic sheep (Ovis aries) by Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in 2 areas in Norway to test whether selected individuals or a demographic group within a lynx population kill a disproportionate share of livestock. During 6 grazing seasons from 1994 to 1999, we monitored 34 radiocollared lynx during 641 tracking periods (either all night or during a full 24-hr period). Sixty-three domestic sheep and 3 domestic goats were killed by radiocollared lynx during these periods. All of the radiocollared lynx had access to free-ranging domestic sheep within their annual home ranges. Male lynx killed sheep more frequently than females and were responsible for 12 out of 13 cases of surplus killing. After adjusting for number of nights monitored, sheep-killing rates among males differed slightly, whereas the differences between individual females were correlated with the number of sheep available. There were no indications of any special problem individuals, but rather a problem sex. Therefore, it seems to be intrinsic in their behavior that males are likely to kill domestic animals more frequently than females. The lack of specific problem individuals in this study might depend on the livestock-herding technique used in Norway, where sheep generally are free-ranging and unattended throughout a lynx's home range. Selective removal of depredating males requires that the gap in the social mosaic either remains unfilled or is filled by an individual that causes less damage to livestock. The effects of such removal on sheep depredation are likely to be only temporary since all adult and yearling male lynx appear to kill sheep.

Success of Artificial Bird Nests in Burned Gulf Coast Chenier Plain Marshes

Wildlife managers in the Gulf Coast Chenier Plain of Louisiana and Texas frequently burn marshes during winter to improve habitat for wintering waterfowl and furbearers. Such fires dramatically alter vegetation structure and cover, although such changes are generally temporary. However, if vegetation cover does not recover sufficiently by the start of the subsequent breeding season, nests of marsh birds could be exposed to increased predation rates. We examined effects of burning on 2 measures of vegetation structure and on 2 types of artificial bird nests during breeding seasons (May and June) before and after experimental winter burns (December and January). We found that vegetation structure did not differ between burned and non-burned marshes at 5 months post-burn. Similarly, depredation rates of artificial sparrow and duck nests did not differ between burned and non-burned marshes during the post-burn breeding season. We recommend that managers complete burning programs by the end of January so that sufficient nesting cover develops before the start of the breeding season.

Effects of sterilization on territory fidelity and maintenance, pair bonds, and survival rates of free-ranging coyotes

Predation on sheep by coyotes (Canis latrans) is a longstanding problem for sheep producers. Current research suggests that surgical sterilization of coyotes could prove to be an effective method of reducing their depredation rates on domestic sheep by modifying their predatory behavior. However, for sterilization to be a viable management tool, the territorial and affiliative behaviors of pack members would need to remain in place. We tested whether surgically sterilized coyotes maintained pair bonds and territories in the same manner as intact coyotes. We also examined if territory fidelity and survival rates differed between sterile and intact coyotes. From June 1997 to April 2000, 10 males and 9 females were sham-operated and radio-collared, while 20 males and 6 females were surgically sterilized and radio-collared. We monitored members of 5 sterile and 4 intact packs during 1998, 6 sterile and 7 intact packs during 1999, and 4 sterile and 6 intact packs through the 2000 breeding season. Behaviorally, sterile packs appeared to be no different than intact packs. A half-weight association index showed that social dyads within sterile coyote packs were located together as frequently as dyads within intact packs. Simultaneous radiolocations of members of sterile packs showed that members of sterile packs were significantly closer to each other than would be expected from random locations. There was no difference in size or degree of overlap between territories of sterile and sham-operated coyote packs. Sterile coyotes had a higher annual survival rate than reproductive animals in 2 of the 3 years, and there was no difference in the level of territory fidelity. We concluded that surgical sterilization did not modify the territorial or affiliative behaviors of free-ranging coyotes, and therefore sterile coyotes could be used as a management tool to exclude other potential sheep-killing coyotes.

NEST BOX USE AND PRODUCTIVITY OF GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHERS IN PRESCRIBED-BURNED LONGLEAF PINE FORESTS

Managing for the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis) on federal lands requires burning large tracts of mature pine forests every 3–5 yr. Many cavity trees that serve as potential nest sites for primary and secondary hole-nesting birds are destroyed by fire. We assessed the efficacy of a nest box program for the Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) at Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, an area intensively managed for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. During 1996–1998, we installed and monitored 330 (30 in each of 11 sites) nest boxes in mature (>60 yr) longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) tracts that were burned either in April–June (warm season) or December–March (cool season). Prescribed-burned sites were nearly devoid of snags; we estimated only 0.8/ha in cool-season burns and 1.7/ha in warm-season burns. Great Crested Flycatchers built nests in 20% of the boxes available to them. Clutch sizes were larger in warm-season burns than in cool-season burns, but fledging success (fledglings/nest hatching ≥1 egg) was lower. Twenty-two of 59 Great Crested Flycatcher nests were depredated and the proportions in each burn class were similar. We recommend the installation of nest boxes for Great Crested Flycatchers in prescribed-burned pine forests, but additional research is needed in these habitats on nest depredation rates and causes.

Coyote Depredation Control: An Interface between Biology and Management

Predation by coyotes (Canis latrans) on livestock continues to plague producers in the United States. Agricultural interests are concerned about coyote predation because sheep inventories in the U.S.have declined >85% in the past 60 years, with a 25% decline between 1991 and 1996. This decline in sheep numbers has been attributed to low economic returns among producers, with coyote predation cited as a major causative factor. Generalizations about the magnitude and nature of depredations can be misleading because of the varied nature of sheep operations, including size of operations, differences in management, and environmental circumstances surrounding individual operations. Coyote depredation rates appear to be influenced by sheep management practices, coyote biology and behavior, environmental factors, and depredation management programs. Most nonlethal depredation control techniques fall within the operational purview of the producers. The major controversy regarding depredation management focuses on programs that remove coyotes to prevent or curtail predation on domestic stock, especially on public lands. Differences in the magnitude, nature, and history of problems caused by coyotes, as well as the circumstances in which they occur, dictates a need for a variety of techniques and programs to resolve problems. The resolution of coyote depredation upon livestock remains controversial for producers, resource managers, and the general public. Because various segments of society attach different values to coyotes, resolution of depredations should use management programs that integrate the social, legal, economic, and biological aspects of the animals and the problem. Preferred solutions should involve procedures that solve problems as effectively, efficiently, and economically as possible in the least intrusive and most benign ways. Predation management requires a partnership among producers and wildlife managers to tailor programs to specific damage situations so the most appropriate techniques can be selected. This paper attempts to clarify the issues surrounding depredation management, synthesize past and current research, and provide information to resource managers associated with coyote depredation management. This synthesis integrates current understandings of coyote biology and behavior, the nature of depredations upon sheep producing enterprises, and the merits of various depredation control strategies and techniques.

Attitudes toward large carnivores among sheep farmers experiencing different degrees of depredation

Attitudes toward large carnivores were surveyed in two regional populations of sheep farmers in Norway, using Kellert's (1991) attitude typology. The annual sheep loss rate to carnivores in the two regions were 4.5% and 0.05%, respectively. The two populations of farmers expressed identical and lowvalues on the ecologistic, moralistic, and naturalistic sub‐scales. Both groups scored moderately high on the negativistic and utilitarian subscales, but farmers from the region with the highest rate of depredation had significantly higher scores on these two subscales than farmers from the region with a low depredation rate. The farmers’ personal anticipated consequence for future sheep farming if depredation continues revealed strong predictive potentials toward both negative and positive attitudes. When controlling for the anticipated consequence of sheep loss, farmers from the region with the highest depredation rate expressed less negative and more positive attitudes toward large carnivores than their colleagues from the region with a low rate of depredation.