Traditional conflict reduction practices that drain resources, even energetically, inhibit ranchers’ willingness and ability to engage in or proactively implement conflict reduction practices. In addition, if ranchers need to make a change just to accommodate the wolf, further resentment of the wolf is experienced.
Deterring wolves over thousands of acres is daunting; investing time and energy towards long-term approaches that build the ranch to withstand wolves while lowering vulnerability to predation makes more sense. |
Another roadblock comes from resistance to new ideas or approaches. The strategies discussed in this document often fall outside the expertise or comfort zone of wolf advocates and wildlife agencies, and ranchers don’t want wolf conservationists “telling them how to manage their cattle.” It is much simpler to put up fladry, claim that nothing works, or dig in our heels rather than lower our barriers to moving forward and take the time to understand the more complex and nuanced approaches discussed in this document. We must not be afraid to address the true breadth of factors influencing coexistence success. We need to push the envelope of our comfort zones in order to finally experience positive long-term outcomes.
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the_root_of_the_coexistence_challenge.pdf | |
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