USDA Offers Predator Damage Management Workshop in Colorado

 

Preventing and Managing Livestock Predation

Thursday, July 14, 2016, 1:30 - 6:00 p.m., Montrose Pavilion

Montrose, CO

RIVERDALE, Md., June 23, 2016– The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Wildlife Services (WS) program will present a workshop, “Preventing and Managing Predation on Livestock,” on Thursday July 14, 2016, from 1:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the Montrose Pavilion, 1800 Pavilion Drive, Montrose, Colorado.  

Ranchers and predator advocates are invited to learn about using methods to prevent or reduce predation, with a focus on coyote and black bear predation on sheep. Presentations will highlight black bear ecology, population status and management; new guard dog research examining new dog breeds; what research has learned about effectively managing predators to protect livestock on range; and effective integration of herders, guard dogs and range riding to deter predation.  

This workshop, co-hosted by USDA Wildlife Services and Colorado Wool Growers, will provide the science-based information that goes into developing integrated predator damage management plans.  This workshop will provide the latest information on large-breed guard dog studies, black bear management and the perspective of a sheep rancher using integrated wildlife management approach. Speakers will come from Colorado Parks & Wildlife, the U.S. Forest Service, Wildlife Services operations and research units, and private industry. (More information)  

Registration is limited to 100 participants. To attend, contact Kimberly Perry at Kimberly.D.Perry@aphis.usda.gov or 303-236-5810.  You will be asked to register for the meeting to ensure adequate seating but there is no charge for the workshop.   

Producers throughout the West have had a positive response to Wildlife Services workshops on wildlife/predation damage management, including nonlethal methods, in California, Oregon, Montana, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Idaho and Texas since 2014. Additional workshops are planned for Washington, Utah, and Nevada.