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The Center for Biological Diversity reports via Common Dreams
Killing predators such as wolves, mountain lions and bears in order to protect livestock may have intuitive appeal, but a rigorous review of multiple studies that was published today shows little or no scientific support that it actually reduces livestock losses. In fact, in some cases it even leads to increases in livestock loss. These conclusions directly counter the reasoning behind the common practice of killing predators in response to livestock depredations--as carried out by the secretive federal program, Wildlife Services, and many state game agencies.
"This study [paywalled] shows that not only is Wildlife Services' annual killing of tens of thousands of wolves, coyotes, bears, bobcats, cougars, and other animals unconscionable--it's also ineffective", said Michael Robinson of the Center for Biological Diversity. "Our government should ground the aerial snipers, pull the poisons and remove the steel leghold traps in response to these findings."
The unexpected finding that carnivore killings can increase depredations is likely based on disruption of the predators' social dynamics--namely, by removing dominant animals that maintain large territories, these killings release sub-adult animals that are less-skilled hunters and thus more likely to target domestic animals.
(Score: 2) by GungnirSniper on Sunday September 04 2016, @05:12PM
You could also put up some fencing and not locate your chicken farm in the middle of a forest, but that's up to you.
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(Score: 2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 04 2016, @05:20PM
Holy crap, why didn't I think of that?
OK, time to fence in the chickens instead of letting them run free in the jungle, and burn down all the trees because they're the problem!
Irony aside, your presumptions are all wrong. Not in a forest, do have fences, but the only fence that hasn't been defeated yet is a concrete wall. Weasels can slip through chicken wire, and kill an astonishing number of chickens. Critters can, and will, climb fences, fence posts and also burrow underneath. Smarter critters even learn how to open gates.
But I'm sure the CBD will be interested in your ideas about every farm being a biological Fort Knox.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 04 2016, @06:16PM
The stuff you were using obviously has holes that are too big for the purpose.
(I'm the guy who has repeatedly noted that things are often given inappropriate names.)
You're supposed to be the one with the big brain.
Surely you can think of an effective, economical solution to your problem.
If you can't think of one on your own, I'm pretty sure that a visit to your local hardware guy would result in a recommendation.
Perhaps simply something with smaller holes. [google.com]
a concrete wall
Sounds like you are the type who would use a howitzer to kill flies.
-- OriginalOwner_ [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 04 2016, @06:24PM
Right.
I just need to find the magical fencing wire that doesn't break, change its shape, rust out, and is strong enough to resist attack by hungry critters.
Here's a hot tip for you: invent that wire, make it affordable (doesn't even have to be particularly cheap, in the big picture), and crank it out by the square mile because you will have an army of farmers beating a path to your door.
While you're planning this wire, bear in mind that a weasel (depending on variety) can push through a hole the size of a quarter or less, and that a hungry raccoon will tear many holes easily that size in welded mesh.
But when you have that stuff built, let the world know. I might be one of your best customers.
(Score: 2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 04 2016, @08:27PM
A common theme to most message boards is that the usual players comment on things that while sounding practical, the people have very little experience in. Hence a lot of idiocy gets passed around as wisdom from the ancients.
The major commenters here aren't usually that bad, but as always there are some major gaps in their theories to actual practice.