Carnivore Damage Prevention CDPnews Issue SUMMER DIFESATTIVA: a farmers’ association THE USE OF LIVESTOCK GUARDING DOGS in North-Eastern Portugal LIVESTOCK GUARDING DOGS IN GEORGIA: a tradition in need of saving? THE EVOLVING USE OF LGDs in Western Canada LIVESTOCK GUARDING DOGS TODAY: possible solutions to perceived limitations 1 INDEX EDITORIAL 1 DIFESATTIVA: A FARMERS’ ASSOCIATION to foster networking and support for damage prevention 9 THE USE OF LIVESTOCK Dear Readers, Short Communication GUARDING DOGS IN NORTHEASTERN PORTUGAL: the importance of keeping the tradition Welcome to the first of two issues of CDPNews devoted to livestock guarding dogs (LGDs). This issue includes articles from Canada, Georgia, Italy and Portugal, 19 LIVESTOCK GUARDING DOGS IN GEORGIA: as well as a special feature reviewing possible solutions to perceived limitations of a tradition in need of saving? LGD use. DIFESATTIVA: 28 THE EVOLVING USE OF LGDs Shepherds have kept dogs to protect livestock for millennia. Today, although in Western Canada the traditional application of LGDs in transhumant pastoralism has declined or 36 LIVESTOCK GUARDING DOGS been lost in many areas, they have been successfully introduced elsewhere and can TODAY: possible solutions now be found in a wider variety of settings and husbandry systems than ever be- to perceived limitations fore. The list of livestock species they are required to protect, as well as the number A FARMERS’ 54 IN MEMORIAM: of predators involved, continues to grow. At the same time, the expectations of RAYMOND COPPINGER 19372017 owners, and of society in general, are also changing, with greater attention paid to 56 ABSTRACTS questions of liability and animal welfare. Introducing LGDs to novel scenarios brings new challenges which need to be BOOKS ASSOCIATION 59 addressed. The article from Canada shows that modern circumstances may be very 60 MEETINGS OF INTEREST different from traditional practices, as can still be found, for example, in Georgia. TO FOSTER NETWORKING 61 COMING TOPICS LGDs are not suitable for every farmer, and not every dog will make a good LGD. It is therefore important to choose the right dog for the right job and to AND SUPPORT FOR adapt its behaviour to existing conditions and farmer expectations. The exchange DAMAGE PREVENTION Chief Editor of experience between farmers, managers and researchers is crucial to increase Sílvia Ribeiro Grupo Lobo, Portugal expertise and address issues associated with the use of LGDs. The case from Italy Luisa Vielmi*, Valeria Salvatori MedWolf Project demonstrates how an association of farmers can promote best practices while also [email protected] IEA - Istituto di Ecologia Applicata, Via Bartolomeo Eustachio 10, 00161 Rome, Italy adding value to their products. Associate Editors MEDWOLF - Best practice actions for wolf conservation in Mediterranean-type areas - www.medwolf.eu John Linnell Exchanging experience and finding solutions were among the goals of an NINA, Norway international meeting of experts, Livestock Guarding Dogs – From Tradition to [email protected] Modernity, held in Portugal in 2015 as part of the LIFE MEDWOLF Project, the Jean-Marc Landry 1. Background IPRA, Switzerland main results of which are presented in this issue’s special feature. While some of [email protected] the points discussed are not new, they are worth emphasising. Selection of pups The wolf (Canis lupus) population in the Italian sheep breeding, there are 1,142 active farms in the Daniel Meler can be a critical factor and there is value in efforts to improve aptitude testing for AGRIDEA, Switzerland Apennines has been increasing noticeably in recent Province with a total of over 199,000 head of sheep: [email protected] LGDs, drawing on what has been learned with other working dogs. Assessment decades and wolf presence is now being recorded 89.29% are primarily dedicated to milk production, Robin Rigg of working LGDs is also indispensable and advances in technology and animal in submontane and lowland areas (Galaverni et al., and 10.71% to meat production (BDN, 2016). Sheep Slovak Wildlife Society, Slovakia behaviour science offer new opportunities. More data are needed to improve [email protected] 2015). In the central region of Tuscany, the landscape production in Grosseto is mainly managed through understanding of the potential effects of neutering/spaying on the behaviour of Design is mainly dominated by agricultural productivity and LGDs and their effectiveness against different predators and in different contexts. Armando Lopes wolf presence has been reported with increased fre- Photo credits Data included in the article from Portugal show that, in some cases, LGDs Linda van Bommel (front cover) can impact wildlife in unintended ways, so potential negative as well as positive quency during the last decade, often associated with Arian Wallach (back cover) claims for damage to livestock production. Louise Liebenberg effects should be carefully considered before implementation. The case of Portu- gal also highlights the importance of promoting damage prevention measures in According to the latest National Agricultural E-mail: [email protected] areas where wolf presence is currently low but is expected to increase, to ensure Census, 43.5% of the Province of Grosseto is used for that knowledge and experience is not lost. Maintaining unbroken lines of good agricultural practices and 14.7% for pastures (Pasqual, Available at: www.medwolf.eu working dogs is an important factor. In places where their use was discontinued 2012). The area has a human population of about following the eradication of predators, it is a big challenge to reintroduce this 225,000 inhabitants, but they are mainly concen- ancient practice. trated in coastal areas. In rural areas, there are many Despite the long history of LGDs, there is clearly still room for improvement CDPNews is produced within the more livestock than humans. The national census MedWolf Project, with the contribution and a need for adaptation of one of the oldest and most valuable damage preven- documents over 2,100 production holdings. Sheep of the LIFE financial instrument of the tion tools. We hope you find the articles in this issue of CDPNews informative European Union. raising represents an important activity with 86% of and inspiring. As usual, we welcome your feedback, comments and suggestions. livestock heads being of sheep, and only 11% of cat- tle, with 2% horses and 1% goats. Considering only Fig. 1. A flock of Sarda sheep. Photo: Luisa Vielmi. The Editors *Corresponding author: [email protected] 2 CDPn31 Fig. 4. Awareness raising activities developed within the LIFE MEDWOLF project in DifesAttiva farm. Photo: Matteo Franchi. semi-extensive grazing in areas not far from the property holdings (Fig. 1). The south of Grosseto is characterized by high quality dairy production. Since 2010 the frequency of attacks on livestock, mainly dairy sheep of the Sarda breed, has caused concern (Fig. 2). High quality dairy products are certified accord- ing to quality standards. No shepherding is used in the area, and farmers receive incentives for producing D.O.P. sheep cheese (Pecorino Toscano DOP), with milk from sheep that are free-ranging for at least 60% of the grazing time. Such production represents an important share of the local economy. Milk is either used by communal cheese factories or local single holding cheese factories, ensuring a high diversity of products (Fig. 3). The area is also interesting for its rich agricultur- al tourism economy, often associated with wine and constant contact was maintained between farmers creased and the experience they gained was made olive oil production. As a result of the return of pred- and technicians, and during which the technicians available to all the others. They were thus linked to ators, many livestock producers have had to modify monitored the dogs, interest in using LGDs increased each other through an information network to which their husbandry methods in order to prevent further significantly (Fig. 5). they could contribute (Fig. 6). losses, as they were not used to guard their animals. In The LIFE MEDWOLF project included the objec- some cases this increases their workload, for example tive of providing 20 LGDs to selected farmers in the 3. The farmers’ network if they are not used to looking after livestock guarding Province of Grosseto. Despite the initial reluctance, the dogs (LGDs). project’s objective was achieved, with 20 LGDs deliv- With the stimulus of LIFE MEDWOLF, the ex- ered to 10 farms. Selection of recipients was based on a isting network was formalised in 2016 through the 2. The MEDWOLF project set of criteria, including: i) previous history of attacks; ii) establishment of the DifesAttiva association (www. Fig. 2. Milk is referred to as “white gold” by local livestock flock size over 50 heads; and iii) grazing areas in regions difesattiva.info). DifesAttiva is a formal institution, producers. Photos: Luisa Vielmi. In 2012, the Province of Grosseto together with where most attacks were registered in the previous with corporate bodies and roles. A full-time techni- agricultural and environmental associations started three years. Once these criteria were passed, the farm- cian runs activities, answers calls and requests for in- to collaborate within the LIFE MEDWOLF project, er’s willingness to start a long-term engagement with formation and makes sure the information flows in with the aim of mitigating the impact of wolves on the LGD was assessed during a direct visit to the farm. the correct direction. Although the participation of livestock production. Concrete actions included the With increasing confidence in the project, the the President and Vice-President is on a voluntary ba- donation of prevention measures to farmers, name- number of farmers willing to have LGDs also in- sis, the technician that runs the practical activities is ly LGDs of the Maremano Abruzzese breed. In the beginning few farmers showed interest in receiving LGDs as they had neither knowledge nor experience of having such dogs, which they perceived as a bur- den and cost they did not want to bear.