Date of Award

2023

Document Type

Campus Access Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Applied Ecology (MS)

Administrative Home Department

College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science

Advisor 1

John A. Vucetich

Committee Member 1

Jared Wolfe

Committee Member 2

Sarah Hoy

Abstract

Research comparing the efficacy of non-lethal and lethal control of depredations by wolves in southern Idaho has shown non-lethal control to be more effective. However, to my knowledge, research has never been conducted on the cost efficacy of non-lethal and lethal control in the Northern Rocky Mountains. Without this knowledge, it is impossible to determine if current allocations of public funds are cost efficacious. I conducted a cost analysis comparing an area utilizing non-lethal control with an area utilizing lethal control in southern Idaho. A precise determination of said cost efficacy was not possible due to data limitations. Nevertheless, my analysis (i) developed a framework for making this determination and (ii) applied that framework to make as precise an assessment as possible. On average, the number of wolves that can be killed before lethal control is more expensive than non-lethal control is 7.0 annually. The estimated number of wolves actually killed in was 7.4 annually on average. This suggested the costs of non-lethal and lethal control were similar.

Available for download on Monday, January 01, 2024

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