EMWH recognizes that there are many challenges to preserving a healthy, biotic community here in Montana; one of which is predator - human conflicts. By nature, predators do what they are instinctively drawn to do - kill and eat prey. But, for the livestock rancher, who has a vital interest in the welfare of their livestock, predators can be seen as an enemy threat from which property needs to be protected.

Non-lethal predator guard dogs and Rangeland Stewardship offer the livestock rancher an opportunity that is pro-active for predator risk reduction tool, rather than only being able to react to an attack, after the loss occurs. Livestock Guardian Dogs can also be a cost effective method for managing predation.

Nothing is foolproof and not every tool will work for every livestock rancher, and their landscape. EMWH would like to present some of the possibilities available to assist the livestock interests in protecting their valued property, while encouraging at least the tolerance, or the acceptance of wildlife predators on the Montana landscape.

This opportunity can not only bridge the gap between predator and livestock, but will hopefully assist in mitigating the human conflicts between wildlife conservationists and ranchers as well.

Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGD) / Livestock Protection Dogs / Predator Guard Dogs are not the same as shepherding dogs. LGD are medium sized to large breeds that live permanently with ‘their’ stock, protecting them from anything that they see as a threat through confrontation, disruption and territorial exclusion.

EMWH's Tools For Coexistence Between Livestock & Large Carnivores: Guard Dogs & Rangeland Stewardship Presentation