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SCI094: Can heavy metal change predator behavior? Lindsay Sant and Lino Saubolle unpack a striking real-world experiment from the U.S. Department of Agriculture: drones equipped with thermal cameras and loudspeakers blasting everything from AC/DC to fireworks and human shouts to interrupt wolf hunts.

The goal isn’t harm—it’s “hazing.” With gray wolves protected under the Endangered Species Act in parts of Oregon and California, lethal control isn’t always an option. Instead, scientists are testing whether disruptive sound and aerial presence can condition wolves to avoid cattle altogether.

And the early results are compelling.

In one monitored area, livestock losses dropped from 11 cattle killed in 20 days to just 2 over 85 days. That raises a powerful question: Can technology create coexistence between predators and agriculture?

Lindsay and Lino wrestle with skepticism and excitement alike. Is this serious behavioral science—or just scientists having fun with drones and rock music? What does it mean to deliberately condition wild predators? And could AI-powered patrol drones become the future of livestock protection?

The conversation expands beyond wolves and cattle into bigger themes:

• The ethics of non-lethal wildlife management
• Conservation success stories and unintended consequences
• The balance between protecting endangered species and safeguarding livelihoods
• Whether repeated audio exposure could lead to habituation
• And how automation might transform rural industries

From thermal imaging to heavy metal, this episode blends cutting-edge tech with age-old ecological tensions. The core issue isn’t just about wolves—it’s about how humans choose to coexist with the wild in an age of rapid innovation. If drones can interrupt a hunt, can they also reshape instinct?

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Links for this episode:

• Drones use rock music and movie shouts to scare wolves – Earth.com
• Drones as a potential hazing tool to prevent wolf depredations on livestock – ScienceDirect

• If you enjoy Let’s Science, check out Caroline and Lindsay and Lino’s other show, Catholics of Oz.
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