IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Odden, J.; Linnell, J.D.C.; Herfindal, I.; Andersen, R. | |
| The Ecology of Eurasian Lynx Depredation on Domestic Sheep in Norway: Are Sheep Prey, or Just Something That Gets in the Way? | |
| 2007 Conference Proceeding | |
Livestock depredation is a major source of conflict with large carnivores. In Norway, compensation is paid for between 5000 and 10000 sheep each year following lynx depredation. In this study we aimed to understand the ecology of lynx depredation on sheep in a boreal forest habitat where sheep were grazed in the forest without any form of protection. The study involved the radio-collaring and intensive tracking of 42 Eurasian lynx in Hedmark county, SE Norway from 1995-2000. Our results included the following (1) Despite a very low density of alternative prey sheep did not constitute a major source of food, (2) Most sheep were killed as a form of surplus killing, and were not consumed to the same extent as wild prey, (3) Male lynx killed more sheep than any other age class of lynx, (4) Lynx did not select sheep grazing areas - their movements selected for areas of high wild prey density, (5) Shooting lynx only a minimal losses on subsequent depredation except in cases where the population was reduced. All in all the results allowed us to reject the claims that sheep were regarded as a normal prey. It appears that sheep are simply killed when they are encountered by lynx when they are searching for wild prey. However, the results are likely to be highly context dependent. |
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