Flashtags: Evaluating a novel deterrent to reduce livestock depredation

Authors: BOTT, CHARLES - Utah State University; BRECK, STEWART - Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); Murphy, Thomas - Tom; Freking, Bradley - Brad; LOPEZ GONZALEZ, CARLOS - Autonomous University Of Queretaro; PEAVEY, COREY - Ranch Management Consultants; PRAUSE, DAVID - Colorado State University; SOMMERS, ALBERT - Ranch Management Consultants; LANDERS, COKE - Ranch Management Consultants; YOUNG, JULIE - Utah State University

Submitted to: Human-Wildlife Interactions
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/22/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Extensive livestock production systems make use of forages and landscapes that are not suitable for more intensive agriculture enterprises such as row crops, dairy, or swine. They are characterized by having a much greater land area to animal ratio and fewer animal to stockperson interactions than intensive production systems. Extensively managed beef cattle and sheep share their environment with a diverse and complex wildlife population, including wild carnivores such as coyotes, wolves, mountain lions, and bears. Conflict in the form of carnivores killing and eating livestock results in financial and emotional burdens. In some cases, people may take drastic measures to reduce or eliminate carnivore populations, resulting in a loss of biodiversity that negatively impacts the natural ecosystem. Nonlethal livestock protection has become the focus of a growing body of research dedicated to carnivore conservation. This study created a novel tool called FlashTags and asked ranchers who have experienced chronic livestock predation to test them. FlashTags are a standard livestock ear tag modified with a motion and light sensitive solar powered LED that flashes when sheep or cattle move after dark. The concept behind this tool is that when the livestock is disturbed and flees from a predator the FlashTags will turn on and create disruptive stimuli, deterring predatory attacks. We observed a significant reduction in reported predation by coyotes and wolves, although results for reduced depredations by grizzly bears were weaker. These results suggest FlashTags offer a novel, low maintenance, low cost, nonlethal deterrent.

Technical Abstract: Social tolerance of carnivores can be improved by preventing conflicts through nonlethal predator deterrents (e.g., livestock protection dogs and human presence) that have been used for centuries. However, many livestock producers feel the existing preventative methods are inadequate for extensive production systems where livestock can be spread widely and have less human supervision. To address this issue, we developed and tested a new nonlethal tool called FlashTags to reduce livestock predation. FlashTags are ear tags worn by livestock that flash a random light pattern at night when motion triggered. In the first year, we tested the devices on domestic ewes and found no effect on sheep behavior. We then tested the efficacy of FlashTags for reducing domestic cattle and sheep predation at 13 livestock operations in North America. All sites were previously affected by chronic predation by coyotes (Canis latrans), gray wolves (Canis lupus), and/or grizzly bears (Ursus arctos). We observed a significant reduction in reported predation by coyotes and wolves, although results for reduced depredations by grizzly bears were weaker. Our prototype encountered a product design flaw, causing the FlashTags to break before the conclusion of the grazing season. Despite this, producers expressed interest in using FlashTags if design improvements are made. These results suggest FlashTags offer a novel, low maintenance, low cost, nonlethal deterrent.