A study published in Animal Conservation in April found that diversionary feeding could help reduce livestock losses by Mexican wolves.
The approach uses food caches to encourage wolves to stay away from cattle and other livestock. Researchers reviewed Mexican wolf recovery program data from 2014-21 and found the practice reduced depredations by an average of 43.9% per pack during the following three months. The study also estimated that about 63% of livestock depredations were detected, meaning some losses likely went unreported or undiscovered.
Researchers said the findings could help wildlife managers better target nonlethal measures and improve livestock compensation programs. While diversionary feeding will not prevent every conflict, the study suggests it could be another useful tool for ranchers dealing with wolves.
