Overview

• The USDA is broadcasting a heated argument scene from Marriage Story via drones equipped with thermal cameras and spotlights to non-lethally deter gray wolves from attacking livestock.
• Since drones began patrolling ranches in Oregon’s Klamath Basin, cattle losses have fallen from 11 to 2 over two months and remained low in recent weeks.
• Deterrent broadcasts also feature fireworks, simulated gunshots and hard-rock tracks such as AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” and Five Finger Death Punch’s “Blue on Black.”
• Wildlife managers are evaluating whether the film audio technique can be scaled across additional ranches while maintaining compliance with endangered wolf protections.
• Some experts caution that wolves may habituate to repeated audio stimuli and raise concerns about stress impacts on both predators and grazing animals.