Grazing in Norway’s carnivore forests: Research on cattle grazing with virtual fencing technology

Abstract: In the wake of large carnivore recovery in Europe, the practice of unattended livestock grazing is increasingly challenged, and there is an urgent need for measures to reduce livestock losses to wild predators. Dr. Zimmermann will present a research project on cattle on forest pastures in Norway. Her research team monitored entire herds fitted with Nofence collars, a virtual fencing system, and used the accelerometer embedded in the collars to establish an algorithm that allows to predict cattle behavior from accelerometer data. This algorithm is currently being enhanced to also include typical anti-predator behavior of cattle by exposing cattle to carnivore stimuli. The long-term goal is to develop an in-app alert system for farmers, so they can interfere in case of an ongoing carnivore attack.

Dr. Barbara Zimmermann’s research focuses on the ecology and management of wildlife and their interactions with humans and livestock. She is a member of the Scandinavian Wolf Research Project SKANDULV and heading the research group LARGE, a consortium of INN-researchers and students devoted to study wildlife ecology. Currently, she is heading a project on livestock production on carnivore-exposed forest pastures, and another on the effects of climate change on future use and management of forest and wildlife resources.

When: Feb 27, 2024 at 2:00 – 3:30 PM MST

Where: In person at University of Alberta General Services Building (GSB) room 8-49

Meeting ID: 954 9514 2032
Passcode: 595548