Pilot Program Uses Trained Dogs to Map Wolf Movements in Colorado

To assist in this effort, VanValkenburg is working with Charley, a 9-year-old Labrador trained by the Montana-based Working Dogs for Conservation, as part of a pilot program known as "Project Scout." This initiative is a collaboration between Working Dogs for Conservation and Wild Ranch, an organization founded by Fraser resident Chip Isenhart to improve strategies for managing conflicts between wolves and livestock.

Project Scout aims to use dogs trained in wolf detection to conduct “odor landscape mapping.” This technique could inform livestock producers about wolf activity, enhancing the efficiency of nonlethal deterrents. Isenhart noted the challenges posed by the One Ear Pack's behavior, as they have established new denning sites and travel paths that are difficult to track, likening the existing information from Colorado Parks and Wildlife to “reading tea leaves.”

The project seeks to map the wolves’ travel corridors, scent-marking sites, and areas of frequent use. Jes Lefcourt, founder of Earth Ranger, helped develop the mapping and data components of the pilot.

Charley was trained to differentiate between the scat of wolves, bears, and coyotes. According to VanValkenburg, during the pilot, Charley wore a tracking device that recorded his movements, helping identify areas of interest where wolves may be active. This data allows for more targeted deployment of deterrents.

VanValkenburg expressed surprise at Charley’s efficiency in locating wolf-related signs. While walking through known wolf habitats, Charley also identified coyote and bear scat, providing valuable information.

The Rocky Mountain Wolf Project, which assisted with two grants for Wild Ranch, has also been involved in assessing the project's effectiveness. Courtney Vail, the organization’s board chair, highlighted the project's potential to foster collaboration and increase the tools available to producers for managing the wolf-livestock dynamic.

Project Scout raises questions about its scalability and training requirements, but Vail is optimistic about its prospects. She noted the success of working dogs in mapping movements of various species and emphasized the motivation among the project’s participants to explore innovative solutions.

VanValkenburg remarked that utilizing trained dogs could significantly reduce the time producers spend searching for wolf activity, allowing them to focus on proactive measures like hazing rather than tracking.

Isenhart believes the excitement surrounding the pilot stems from its innovative approach and the recent stagnation in advancements related to wolf detection and deterrents since wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone 30 years ago.

Additionally, Isenhart aims for Wild Ranch to address deeper social challenges related to wolf management. He envisions a system where donors can contribute to tools that help mitigate livestock-wolf conflicts, fostering trust and relationships between them and ranchers.

Throughout the pilot in North Park, Vail noted the commitment to collaboration among stakeholders, pointing out that many ranchers are not opposed to wolves but seek to find common ground for coexistence. She emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in determining the long-term success of wolf management in Colorado.