Our Strategy
The Wood River Wolf Project demonstrates that science-based, nonlethal management can succeed even in high-conflict landscapes — and that diverse stakeholders can work together to protect both livestock and wolves.
What began as a local field experiment has become a model with global relevance.
Finding Common Ground
The Project brings together livestock producers, wildlife managers, conservation organizations, researchers, and county officials to collaboratively address wolf–livestock conflict. By focusing on shared goals — reducing losses, protecting livelihoods, and maintaining healthy wolf populations — the Project reduces not only wildlife conflict but also human conflict.
This stakeholder-driven model has drawn international attention. Wildlife biologists and researchers from across the United States, Europe, Israel, Africa, and Australia have looked to the Wood River Wolf Project as a template for resolving predator–livestock conflicts in their own regions.
What We’ve Achieved Since 2008
Sheep losses to wolves remain under 0.1% in the Project Area.
Only two wolves have been lethally removed in 18 years in response to sheep depredation.
Provided hands-on training to agencies and livestock producers in proactive nonlethal deterrence strategies across the West.
Co-sponsored wolf–livestock coexistence workshops with the Blaine County Commission, educating ranchers, state and federal agencies, and international researchers.
Served as a testing ground for innovative nonlethal tools, including fladry, turbo-fladry, FoxLights, bark-light collars for livestock guardian dogs, and adaptive field monitoring techniques.
Developed a site-specific analysis system to collect data and recommend best practices tailored to individual producers and landscapes.
Today, the Wood River Wolf Project is recognized as one of the world’s longest-running and most comprehensive wolf–livestock coexistence initiatives.
The Benefits of Cooperative Coexistence
Proactive prevention delivers measurable and lasting benefits:
Reduces livestock losses to wolves and other native predators.
Decreases reliance on lethal control and supports stable wolf populations.
Strengthens the economic sustainability of ranching operations.
Lowers long-term wolf–livestock management costs for agencies and producers.
Builds trust and collaborative problem-solving among diverse stakeholders.
Increases community tolerance for wolves and other native wildlife.
Expands scientific understanding through long-term data collection and applied field research.
Coexistence is not simply a philosophy — it is a practical strategy that protects wildlife, supports rural livelihoods, and strengthens communities.
