California’s recent decision to remove four members of a wolf pack near Lake Tahoe sparked national attention – but the story behind it is much bigger. 

In this episode, Wildlife Management professor at UC Berkeley, Dr. Arthur Middleton, joins us to dig into his recent New York Times op-ed and explore why America’s predator recovery has outpaced our ability to support the people living in these landscape – and what we can do about it.  

The Beyem Seyo pack killed 87 cattle in about six months – overwhelming local ranchers and exhausting every non-lethal tool the state could deploy. From range riding to carcass composting to the day-to-day realities facing private land stewards, we look at what expanding predator populations mean for the communities on the ground. 

We dig into the gaps in current policy, the need for better funding and compensation, and the critical role of landowners who steward most of America’s open lands – and who will ultimately shape the future of living with wildlife. 

Listen

Links from the episode

Read the Op Ed in the New York Times 

Arthur Middleton’s research page 

Check out the Range Riding Producer Tool Kit 

Learn about Supporting Working Lands and Wildlife with the Four C’s 

Browse Working across the rural-urban divide: Messaging for large carnivore conflict reduction 

Credits 

Working Wild U is a production of Western Landowners Alliance and Montana State University. This episode was hosted by Jared Beaver and produced by Zach Altman, with support from Avery Shawler and Louis Wertz.  

Thanks again to Arthur Middleton for joining us today.  

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