Scientific Study Proves Killing Wolves Does Not Reduce Livestock Deaths

Killing wolves isn’t the Answer—science proves it. As wolves reclaim landscapes across the world, their return is met with resistance, particularly from those who fear livestock losses. In places like the Golan Heights in northern Israel—home to one of the highest wolf densities worldwide—lethal management has been the go-to solution. Every year, 25% of the wolf population is culled in an attempt to reduce depredation. But does killing wolves actually work? Science says no. A recent study using motion-triggered cameras across nearly 6,000 monitoring nights revealed a crucial flaw in lethal control: it doesn’t deter wolves from entering conflict zones. In fact, it can make the problem worse. When packs are disrupted, single wolves—now without the stability of a structured social group—are more likely to roam into high-risk areas near livestock. The study found that even in areas with intense culling, wolves still persisted, shifting their behavior to become more nocturnal to avoid human activity. In other words, despite killing a quarter of the population every year, the issue remains. This isn’t unique to Israel. Across the globe, from the U.S. to Europe, culling programs fail to prevent human-wildlife conflict. Why? Because removing wolves doesn’t address the root issue—livestock vulnerability. The only way to truly stop depredation is to eradicate all predators, which is not only unethical but would wreak havoc on ecosystems. Wolves play a critical role in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem balance; without them, prey populations explode, leading to habitat destruction and cascading environmental consequences that ultimately impact humans too. So, what’s the real solution? Science-backed, non-lethal methods. Guardian dogs, predator-proof enclosures, proper grazing management, and coexistence strategies have been proven to work. These methods protect both livestock and wolves, creating a sustainable balance that benefits farmers, ecosystems, and wildlife alike. Killing wolves isn’t the answer. It’s time to stop the slaughter and start implementing real, lasting solutions. Wolves belong in the wild, not on a kill list. Click here to read the article.