The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is a vast landscape shared by people and wildlife. Habitat for species like grizzly bears, wolves, elk, and more isn’t just found within public lands, but exists alongside, and even overlaps with, the wide-open working lands of this region. With wildlife and people living in such close proximity, the possibility of conflict is often not far behind.

Wildlife-livestock conflict is a complex challenge that requires thoughtful, multi-faceted, and creative solutions. Luckily, there are some ranchers and landowners in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem testing some ground-breaking methods to keep their livelihoods intact and their neighbors wild.

On this episode, we’re chatting with Hilary Zaranek. Hilary is a rancher and biologist leading some of the most cutting-edge wildlife-livestock conflict prevention work in the ecosystem. From range riding to low-stress livestock handing and innovative partnerships, she and her family are testing out a range of methods that are good for both business and the land. We’ll hear about Hilary’s start in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem working on ranches and as a technician for the Yellowstone Wolf Project, how range riding works, and what techniques she and her husband employ to prevent conflicts with grizzly bears and wolves. 

Voices of Greater Yellowstone was created by the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, a conservation nonprofit dedicated to working with people to protect the lands, waters, and wildlife of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, now and for future generations.

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is the land of 49+ Indigenous Tribes who maintain current and ancestral connections to the lands, waters, wildlife, plants, and more.

Thumbnail Photo Credit: Hilary Zaranek

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