Farmers worldwide kill or deter wildlife to protect crops. Understanding the welfare implications of different control methods matters for both animals and effective agriculture.
Wildlife that damages crops or livestock is often controlled through lethal means — shooting, trapping, poisoning, and snaring — that can cause significant pain and suffering. Rodenticides cause internal bleeding and may take days to kill, and bioaccumulate through food chains, harming non-target predators. Snares cause injury to intended and unintended species. Non-lethal alternatives are increasingly viable: exclusion netting, electric fencing, trained livestock guardian dogs, and targeted habitat modification can reduce conflict without welfare costs. Integrating wildlife-friendly pest management into farm policy is a growing priority.