"Conceptually, there are 2 possible categories of problem individuals, depending on the scale of the livestock-carnivore distribution matrix. In a coarse-grained matrix, where most individual carnivores do not have livestock within their home ranges, a problem animal may be any individual in the wrong place (type 1). However, in a fine-scale matrix, where all individuals have livestock within their home ranges, a problem individual is one that kills more livestock/encounter than other individuals (type 2)."(698)

"Among those individuals controlled following depredation events, there is rarely any indication that young carnivores are involved to a greater extent than expected by chance."(699)

"Both sexes are usually implicated in livestock depredation, but there is an almost universal trend for males to be represented more than females among individuals shot or trapped following depredation events."(700)

"Unusual conditions prevail in almost all circumstances where livestock are concerned. Unnaturally high densities of easily caught prey that lack most of their natural anti-predatory instincts and that are often placed in accessible (from the carnivore’s view) but confined (from the livestock’s view) areas present special situations for carnivores. Natural selection should not be expected to have favored behavior to kill only as much as can be eaten in a single meal under such artificial circumstances. Therefore, it is unlikely that surplus killing of livestock reflects the existence of a problem individual of either type, although there may still be differences in the way individuals react to a given situation where the potential for surplus killing exists (type 2)."(701)

"We hypothesize that the livestock herding technique is a main factor leading to the possible formation of problem individuals."(701)

"The scattered distribution of sheep throughout a carnivore’s natural hunting habitat also will increase encounter rates between carnivores and sheep, without any search behavior required by the carnivore. We hypothesize that under these conditions, problem individuals (type 1 or 2) are less likely to appear because most individuals have opportunity to kill livestock without developing specialized behaviors."(702)

"In effect, the most effective solutions in the case of rare or endangered species are to modify husbandry techniques or zone land use to reduce or prevent depredation, rather than relying on reaction after the event."(702)