Inger Hansen
Senior Research Scientist
Biography
I am a senior researcher at the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, with a PhD on farm animal ethology from the The Norwegian University of Agriculture. I have long-standing experience leading user-involved projects within the issue of livestock-carnivore conflicts at a national and Nordic level. My research also covers the topic of farm animal behaviour and welfare.
Abstract
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Abstract
Increasing populations of large carnivores are leading to tension and conflicts with livestock production, a situation that potentially might escalate. In Norway the objective of the large carnivore policy is two-folded: to ensure viable carnivore populations and to secure a sustainable grazing industry. The main instrument is zonation, with carnivore management zones (CMZs) prioritized for reproduction of the large carnivore species separated from other areas prioritized for grazing livestock. The objective of this paper is to describe current knowledge about the impact of the zoning management strategy on the grazing industry. This is done by documenting status and changes in sheep production, losses of livestock to predating carnivores, and the use of grazing areas inside and outside the CMZs. CMZs offering protection for lynx, wolverine, bear and wolf cover 55% of the Norwegian mainland. 30% of the sheep and 50% of the Sami reindeer grazing areas are found inside the CMZs. Livestock (semi-domestic reindeer excluded) is using 59% of the available natural pasture areas outside the CMZs, but only 26% inside the CMZs. The lowest use of available grazing areas was found inside zones for wolves (12%) and brown bears (6%). Livestock in these zones are confined to fenced enclosures, mostly on the farm itself, or moved to pastures outside the management zone for summer grazing. Livestock losses increased in the affected regions during the period when carnivores were reestablished. Later, losses declined when CMZs were established and mitigation efforts were implemented in these zones. The bulk of sheep and reindeer killed by carnivores are now found in boundary areas within 50 km off the CMZs, where sheep are still grazing on open mountain and forest ranges. Therefore, instruments to protect livestock in areas close to the CMZs are also needed. The number of sheep declined inside the CMZs from 1999 to 2014, but increased outside the zones. The reduction in the absolute number of sheep in the CMZs is balanced by a similar increase outside, thus the total sheep production in Norway is maintained. We conclude that although of little consequence for the total food production in Norway, the economic and social impact of the large carnivore management strategy can be serious for local communities and individual farmers who are affected. There is a need for more exact carnivore population monitoring to quantify the carnivore pressure, better documentation of reindeer losses, and a clearer and stricter practicing of the zoning strategy. Increased involvement of social sciences is important in order to understand the human dimension of the carnivore conflicts.
Authors
Seyda Özkan_Gülzari Grete H. M. Jørgensen Svein Eilertsen Inger Hansen Snorre Hagen Ida Marie Luna Fløystad Rupert PalmeAbstract
Several non-invasive methods for assessing stress responses have been developed and validated for many animal species. Due to species-specific differences in metabolism and excretion of stress hormones, methods should be validated for each species. The aim of this study was to conduct a physiological validation of an 11-oxoaetiocholanolone enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for measuring faecal cortisol metabolites (FCMs) in male reindeer by administration of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH; intramuscular, 0.25 mg per animal). A total of 317 samples were collected from eight male reindeer over a 44 h period at Tverrvatnet in Norway in mid-winter. In addition, 114 samples were collected from a group of reindeer during normal handling and calf marking at Stjernevatn in Norway. Following ACTH injection, FCM levels (median and range) were 568 (268–2415) ng/g after two hours, 2718 (414–8550) ng/g after seven hours and 918 (500–6931) ng/g after 24 h. Levels were significantly higher from seven hours onwards compared to earlier hours (p < 0.001). The FCM levels at Stjernevatn were significantly (p < 0.001) different before (samples collected zero to two hours; median: 479 ng/g) and after calf marking (eight to ten hours; median: 1469 ng/g). Identification of the faecal samples belonging to individual animals was conducted using DNA analysis across time. This study reports a successful validation of a non-invasive technique for measuring stress in reindeer, which can be applied in future studies in the fields of biology, ethology, ecology, animal conservation and welfare.
Authors
Inger HansenAbstract
This literature review documents behavioural differences in organic and conventional sheep and goats in Norway. Increased indoor space results in increased lying time, more synchronized lying behaviour, less displacements and higher milk yield in sheep, and increased lying time and lower frequency of agonistic behaviour in goats. Sheep and goats spend 45-50 % of their time outdoors when given access to an outdoor yard during winter. Under normal thermal conditions, fully fleeced sheep do not need solid floors of welfare reasons in Norway. Neither do dairy goats in insulated buildings. The significance of different milk feeding strategies in goat kids is poorly documented, but studies on lambs and calves show that suckling increases the growth rate, gives better social competence and more exploratory behaviour. Thus, the organic regulations in Norwegian sheep and goat production have some positive impact on behavioural indicators of sheep and goat welfare, especially during winter housing.
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Abstract
The experiment aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a Monil virtual fence collar for small ruminants on mature Norwegian White ewes at the NIBIO Tjøtta station. The study aimed to evaluate the animals' learning ability and welfare, compare two auditory cues (Original vs. Modified; collar treatment), and examine the effects of wool (Shaved vs. Unshaved) on the efficacy of the virtual fence system. A total of 16 ewes were randomly assigned to two groups of 8, each equipped with one of the collars, and further divided based on wool treatment. Two mirrored training arenas were set up for the two groups. For two days, the collared animals had unrestricted access to graze the entire arena (VF-Off). This was followed by two days of restricted access to 2/3 of the arena using the virtual fence collars (VF-On). After the fourth day, the animals were switched to the other arena as a crossover design, and the sequence of VF-Off and VF-On was repeated. Data collected included position and cue logs from the virtual fence collars, heart rate monitors, and observation data gathered through three methods: Video Surveillance, Direct Observation Time Budget, and Pressure Marks Assessment. Our results indicate that the ewes were able to learn to avoid restricted zones effectively, relying more on auditory cues than on electrical cues. The virtual fence cueing imposed short-lived stress (acute stress), with both behavioral and physiological metrics returning to baseline levels within five minutes. Additionally, exclusively auditory cues resulted in less stress compared to cues associated with electrical stimulation. No indicators of chronic behavioral stress were observed. However, we found that the collars needed to move freely on the animals' necks to prevent pressure marks, suggesting that the ewes should be shaved around their necks before wearing the collars. While collar treatment showed no significant effects, wool treatment indicated that the shaved group was more compliant with the virtual fence system due to reduced insulation, which enhanced the effectiveness of electrical cues. During the deployment with the unshaved group, there were three instances in which the animals received an electrical cue that did not elicit the animal response, allowing for their “escape” over the virtual fence boundary. Therefore, equipping the virtual fence on shaved animals is paramount for enhancing the system's reliability. If the suggestion is followed, the system can effectively be used for sheep without compromising animal welfare.
Abstract
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Abstract
Nord-Norge har svært gode beiteressurser og en stor uutnyttet beitekapasitet, men store utfordringer med nedgang i antall beitedyr og utmarksbeitebønder. Manglende rekruttering, motivasjon og økonomiske utfordringer er pekt på som årsaker til nedgangen. Teknologi som sporingsbjeller, virtuelle gjerder og droner er verktøy som utmarksbeitebonden kan ha stor nytte av/Northern Norway has high quality grazing resources and large, unused grazing capacity, yet faces major challenges due to a decline in the number of grazing animals and rangeland farmers. Lack of recruitment, motivation, and economic difficulties have been identified as reasons for this decline. Technologies such as tracking collars, virtual fencing, and drones are tools that can be highly beneficial for rangeland farmers.
