DESCRIPTION
In this study, they "evaluated the use of local, medium-sized, mixed-breed guarding dogs to reduce predation and retaliatory killing of carnivores. They interviewed 64 herders, and delivered 37 puppies to 25 herders. Most economic loss was attributed to cougars (Puma concolor) and culpeos (Lycalopex culpaeus). All herders with dogs that reached the working stage reported reduced rates of predation, and 88% reported that they no longer kill carnivores. Among herders who were not using dogs, 89% of them reported increased predation, and 100% of them confirmed that they kill carnivores. Mixed-breed dogs can be effective in reducing both predation losses and retaliatory killing, but their success depends on the ability and willingness of herders to train and use them properly.
|
- |
Comments
Interesting initiative! Having to face a similar issue in French Guyana with jaguars and pumas predating over livestock, I would have some questions to set up efficiently protecting dogs within a livestock flock:
– How do you organize to protect your livestock when dogs are still puppies and then potential prey for large carnivores as pumas?
– How do you know when dogs are “ready” to effectively protect livestock? Do you need a test period to improve their protection before letting alone with the livestock?
– Are these mixed-dogs can be included within different type of livestock breed (goats, buffaloes, cows, zebus…)?
– How many dogs do you need depending on the size of the livestock?
Thanks for your feedback.