Pilot Program Tests Working Dogs for Mapping Wolf Movements in Colorado

To assist with this challenge, VanValkenburg is engaging a 9-year-old Labrador named Charley, trained by Montana-based Working Dogs for Conservation, through a new pilot program called Project Scout. This initiative, in collaboration with Wild Ranch, aims to explore innovative strategies for managing wolf-livestock conflicts.

From August 1 to 10, North Park served as the testing site for Project Scout, designed to assess whether dogs trained in wildlife detection could efficiently conduct “odor landscape mapping.” The goal is to provide ranchers with actionable insights into wolf activities, which could enhance the effectiveness of nonlethal deterrents.

Chip Isenhart, founder of Wild Ranch, emphasized the complexities of tracking the elusive One Ear pack, mentioning their new den and rendezvous sites which complicate efforts. He remarked on the limited and coarse data available from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, likening it to “reading tea leaves.”

The primary objective of Project Scout is to map critical areas from the canine perspective, including wolf travel corridors and scent-marking sites. Jess Lefcourt, founder of Earth Ranger, supported the project's mapping and data collection.

During the pilot, Charley effectively distinguished between coyote, wolf, and bear scat, and his movements were tracked via a cellphone device. VanValkenburg noted how quickly Charley picked up on the trails, assisting the team in concentrating on high-interest areas for further monitoring and deterrence efforts.

The Rocky Mountain Wolf Project, which has provided funding to support Wild Ranch's initiatives, had representatives on-site during the pilot. Courtney Vail, board chair, highlighted the collaborative efforts among stakeholders to enhance wolf movement tracking and alleviate conflicts.

Project Scout is still in its early stages and poses questions regarding scalability and the most effective dog breeds for the work. Vail expressed optimism about the program's potential, underscoring the effective use of working dogs in wildlife tracking.

VanValkenburg believes using trained dogs will significantly reduce the time ranchers spend locating wolf paths, allowing them to allocate their resources more effectively. He emphasized the advantages of having a dedicated tool for monitoring wolf movements to better protect livestock.

Isenhart noted that the interest surrounding Project Scout stems from its innovative approach, as the methods for managing wolf behavior have not significantly changed since wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone 30 years ago. The pilot aims to provide a contemporary solution amidst ongoing frustrations in wolf detection and deterrence strategies.

In conjunction with Project Scout, Wild Ranch is also exploring other technological innovations, including artificial intelligence camera traps and biometric tracking devices for livestock. These initiatives aim to proactively address potential conflicts with wolves while minimizing livestock losses.

Isenhart envisions fostering collaborative relationships between ranchers and conservationists, recognizing the importance of negotiated coexistence in managing wolf populations in Colorado. He expressed that building trust will be crucial in addressing the urban-rural divide on wolf reintroduction issues.

Overall, the testing in North Park illustrates a collective effort to understand and manage wolf-livestock conflicts effectively, showcasing the potential for innovative solutions that bridge the gap between ranching practices and wildlife conservation.