For many years, conservationists with the state and federal governments in the upper midwest have been divided about what to do with so-called “problem wolves.” Although gray wolves do not attack humans, they do sometimes prey on livestock — hey, who would turn down such an easy meal? When wolves kill horses or cows, farmers understandably get upset. You can compensate the farmer for his or her lost animal, but they may also insist that something be done to make sure it doesn’t happen again. But what to do?
In Michigan’s upper peninsula, some wildlife managers simply trap and shoot the offending carnivore. Others, though, rely on non-lethal methods, such as herding dogs or scaring wolves away. Francisco Santiago-Avila is the lead author of a new study from the University of Wisconsin’s Nelson Institute on this dilemma, and he joins Eight O’Clock Buzz host Brian Standing in the studio.
