Solutions to Save Half of Chile's Dog-Savaged Livestock
CHILE – Chile’s agriculture industry is getting to grips with a feral dog problem responsible for 50 per cent of livestock attacks nationally.
16 January 2015
1 minute read
The Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) is leading efforts to combat the issue, proven to be increasing, informing farmers that success comes from a plethora of measures.
Combining knowledge transfer and trial studies, SAG is assisting producers in minimising the losses, primarily to youngstock, caused by mongrel wild dogs.
Studies show attacks are worse on forest fringes, where the habitat provides the dogs with refuge and food. Standard grazing practice in certain regions, which uses extensive prairie-land and no fencing, leaves animals susceptible to attacks, according to SAG.
The issue was the focus of a Santo Tomas University seminar where producers were shown the successes of penning livestock at night to reduce losses in a trial experiment.
Presenting at the seminar, SAG regional director, Nicanor, Cuevas Denmark said: “It was believed that troublesome predators were protected species like puma and foxes. However, we now realise that, in over 50 per cent of cases, feral dogs are responsible.”
TheCattleSite News Desk
