Building Bridges: How Collaboration Fuels Success in Non-Lethal Wolf-Livestock Management

In the realm of wildlife conservation, collaboration is not just beneficial – it is the key to progress and forward momentum.

Drone technology can unite livestock owners, conservation groups, and government agencies to create dedicated advocates for this innovative solution to non-lethal wolf-livestock conflict management.

Who Are The Stakeholders?

We use the term “stakeholders” a lot but we want to be clear about the context in which we use it. Stakeholders are representatives of different groups or interested parties in various aspects of conservation work. For instance, when we’re talking about wolf-livestock management, we’re thinking of the following stakeholders:

Livestock Owners/Agribusiness: These individuals are the most affected by wildlife conflicts, as it is their livestock who are preyed upon. Their involvement in seeking solutions to the problem is critical and, often times, those solutions need to be practical and directly address their needs as owners of livestock.
Conservation Advocates: Whether a researcher, biologist, organization, or a member of the general public – advocates provide insights into the ecological value of methods that protect wildlife while mitigating conflict. Their involvement as representatives of the benefits of wildlife is just as important and critical as that of Livestock/Agribusiness. Solutions for them need to respect the roles of wildlife in the environment.
Government Agencies: Organizations like the USDA provide regulatory support and funding into research into successful strategies to mitigate wolf-livestock conflict. They are responsible for managing wildlife for all stakeholders, which means that they have to provide solutions to wolf-livestock conflict that take into account various perspectives that are often paired with conflicting opinions.

Benefits of Collaboration

When diverse groups, like the stakeholders mentioned above, come together, everyone benefits from shared resources and knowledge to foster more innovative and effective solutions. Joint efforts enhance research opportunities, enabling more comprehensive studies that integrate more diverse data sources – basically, we’re getting more information that can lead to significant breakthroughs in non-lethal wildlife management.

Moreover, collaboration increases funding and resource allocation. We keep saying it, but we’re stronger together, and that also means when it comes to raising funds. Government agencies face funding restrictions that other stakeholders simply don’t have.

The broad support from a range of stakeholders bridges gaps and plays a major role in swaying public opinion. If we are all coming together for a solution, this unified front legitimizes our efforts and encourages community involvement and support from all members of the community, which is essential for long-term success.

Keep it Local

Each local community faces its own unique challenges when it comes to non-lethal wolf-livestock management, which is why it is important to invite local community members into the fold. Those affected by environmental changes or impacts to their livelihood should have a voice and seat at the table, especially as we discuss strategies that are going to impact them. The fact that USDA & Wildlife Services’ effort to do just that has led to cooperation at a local level that is beyond impressive.

Support from the Other Side

In conservation work, we often see ranchers and agribusiness portrayed as the bad guys. That view is so narrow and it has prevented a lot of folks from coming together to focus on common solutions. In fact, back in 2023, Todd Nash, the president of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, was quoted as saying

“I think it’s probably the best tool we have out there so far”

when discussing the topic of drone hazing. Ranchers are excited about the potential of this technology, so that begs the question – why aren’t conservation advocates more excited?

The Big Bad Project is legitimately thrilled to promote this project, its results so far, and the potential that it has. We look at everyone involved and don’t see advisories, we see allies. Research like this needs to be supported by advocates like you, and we can guarantee that gets done.

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