Defenders of Wildlife Hails Support for Wolf, Grizzly Conservation by The Bailey Wildlife Foundation
Defenders has also named its proactive carnivore project "The Bailey Wildlife Foundation Proactive Carnivore Conservation Fund." This new fund will support proactive measures to reduce the likelihood of conflict between livestock or property and carnivores, including wolves and bears.
"The Bailey Wildlife Foundation Wolf and Grizzly Compensation Trusts seek to promote landowner tolerance for large predators by paying for the economic loss these animals sometimes cause," said Rodger Schlickeisen, President of Defenders of Wildlife. "Our success at expanding the range of the grizzly bear and wolf in the West will be directly proportional to how successful we are at reducing conflict between these species and livestock.
It’s this simple: the support of The Bailey Wildlife Foundation for these trusts and our new proactive program will save the lives of many, many wolves and bears."
Here’s how The Bailey Wildlife Foundation Wolf Compensation Trust and The Bailey Wildlife Foundation Grizzly Compensation Trust work. If a rancher believes a grizzly bear or wolf has killed livestock, he or she notifies the appropriate state, tribal or federal agency. A trained specialist, usually on the scene within 24 hours, investigates to determine if wolves or grizzly bears were responsible for the death of the livestock. If the investigator verifies that a wolf or grizzly bear killed the livestock, a report is sent to Defenders of Wildlife.
A Defenders staff member from the region then calls the rancher to discuss the incident, explain our compensation program and agree on a payment amount. Defenders typically sends a check to the rancher within two weeks of receiving verification of a livestock loss.
Support from The Bailey Wildlife Foundation also enabled Defenders of Wildlife to initiate a new program, The Bailey Wildlife Foundation Proactive Carnivore Conservation Fund. This program provides money for collaborative on-the-ground efforts to reduce potential conflict between large predators and livestock. Such projects may involve electric fencing, livestock guarding dogs, scare devices or finding alternative grazing lands.
Defenders of Wildlife is a leading nonprofit conservation organization recognized as one of the nation’s most progressive advocates for wildlife and its habitat. With more than 425,000 members and supporters, Defenders of Wildlife is an effective leader on endangered species issues. To stay current on hot topics in wildlife conservation, subscribe to DENlines, Defenders of Wildlife’s electronic update and action alert network.
Contact(s):
Cat Lazaroff, (202) 772-3270