Wildlife damage centre prevents predator harm

Predation harm to sheep and reindeer, crop loss, and grazing damage are some challenges encountered in the interface between agriculture, forestry, and wildlife. Human-made infrastructure like roads and railways can also lead to harm to domestic reindeer and cervids. A good balance between industry and the protection of wild animals requires effective preventive measures and solutions, says Dr Inger Hansen, leader of the Norwegian Wildlife Damage Centre and researcher at NIBIO.

At the centre, NIBIO has gathered broad expertise in the fields of sheep farming, reindeer husbandry, pasture quality and utilisation, cervids, predators, economics, social research, mapping and statistics, and electronic monitoring. The purpose is to provide advice, research, development work, and information on preventive measures against predator damage to sheep and reindeer, grazing damage, crop loss, and causes of losses.

A main cause of predator conflict is loss of livestock on rangelands. In Norway, agriculture with rangelands is important for access to fodder resources, animal welfare, and landscape management. Simultaneously, there is national and international laws to maintain sustainable populations of predators.

Hansen admits that dealing with the predator challenge can be like sticking one's hand into a "hornet's nest."

"Most people want predators, but not where they live. Some are very supportive. Others tolerate it but do not want such high populations," says Hansen. "I have been in this for 30 years. It's challenging but exciting to try to find good solutions. Knowledge and information are important. Solutions must be based on expertise."