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The grey wolf (Canis lupus) population in the Golan Heights is among the densest globally, with 80–100 individuals in <1000 km2 of a multi‐use landscape that includes extensive cattle and sheep grazing. Livestock depredation and retaliatory wolf shootings create ongoing conflict between ranchers, conservationists and management authorities. Using 9 years (2013–2021) of verified cattle predation and wolf shooting records, we evaluated the effects of lethal and nonlethal wolf management strategies through time‐to‐event (survival) analysis, spatial and seasonal assessments and a study case comparison of two ranches with contrasting practices. Lethal control did not reduce recurrent predation at 1 or 36 km2 scales; instead, month and year were stronger predictors, with predation peaking in winter when wild prey availability was lowest. Spatially, 83% of subsequent predation events occurred >6 km from shooting sites, peaking at 6–12 km, indicating a potential spillover effect. The ranch comparison showed that intensive shooting did not lower predation compared to nonlethal management. Practical implication: Lethal interventions are not a consistently effective tool for reducing livestock depredation in high‐density wolf systems. Management should account for ecological side effects of culling and prioritize adaptive nonlethal strategies such as livestock guardian dogs, targeted seasonal calving and rotational grazing. תקציר תקציר אוכלוסיית הזאבים ברמת הגולן היא מהצפופות בעולם, עם כ‐80–100 פרטים באזור של פחות מ־1000 קמ”ר, הכולל מרחבי מרעה נרחבים של בקר וצאן. טריפות המקנה וירי תגובתי בזאבים יוצרים קונפליקט מתמשך בין ,בוקרים גורמי שמירת טבע ורשויות ניהול. מחקר זה בחן את השפעת צעדי ניהול זאבים על טריפות בקר תוך שימוש בתשע שנות רישומים מאומתים של טריפות וירי בזאבים (2013–2021). באמצעות ניתוח ,הישרדות בחינה ,עונתית‐מרחבית והשוואה בין חוות עם אסטרטגיות ניהול ,שונות נמצא כי ירי בזאבים לא הפחית באופן עקבי את הטריפות. במקום ,זאת חודש ושנה היו משתנים מסבירים חזקים יותר, כאשר גם טריפה של בעלי חיים וגם אירועי ירי בזאבים גדלו עם הזמן והגיעו לשיא במהלך החורף ,(נובמבר‐פברואר) כאשר זמינות טרף הבר היא הנמוכה ביותר. בנוסף, ב־83% מהמקרים הטריפות חזרו והתרחשו במרחק העולה על 6 ק”מ מאזור ,הירי דבר המרמז על אפקט “זליגה” לשטחים סמוכים. חוות שניהלו גידול בקר בשיטות לא קטלניות (כלבי ,שמירה ,גידור מרעה מתוכנן) לא סבלו מטריפות גבוהות יותר ביחס לחוות שניהלו ירי אינטנסיבי. מסקנות אלו מדגישות כי ניהול יעיל צריך להימנע מירי כפתרון עיקרי ולהתמקד באסטרטגיות לא ,קטלניות מותאמות עונות ורגישות להקשר ,המקומי כגון ,גידור כלבי ,שמירה תיאום זמני ההמלטה ומרעה מתוכנן. Lethal interventions were not a consistently effective tool for reducing livestock depredations in a high‐density wolf system. Management should account for the ecological side effects of culling and prioritize adaptive non‐lethal strategies, such as livestock guardian dogs, targeted seasonal calving and rotational grazing, to promote more sustainable coexistence.

The return of large carnivores to human-dominated landscapes complicates predator–prey dynamics. While predator and anthropogenic effects are well-documented in intact systems, their interplay in fragmented landscapes remains understudied. We examined whether apex predators still regulate prey and mesopredators in the large mammal community of the Golan Heights—a mosaic of nature reserves, farmland and military zones—where wolves ( Canis lupus ), golden jackals ( Canis aureus ) and wild boar ( Sus scrofa ) are culled to mitigate agricultural losses and human-wildlife conflict. Using 60 camera traps and high-resolution culling data, we quantified predator–prey and intraguild relationships, identifying land protection thresholds at which they shifted. We found that endangered mountain gazelles ( Gazella gazella ) were most active in protected areas (top 50% of sites) with higher wolf activity and consistently avoided jackals. Species-specific culling increased jackal activity but decreased boar activity in nonprotected areas (lower 65% and 62% of sites, respectively), outweighing the suppressive effects of wolves. While jackal culling modestly benefited gazelles in protected areas, the positive association between wolves and gazelles was sevenfold stronger. These findings suggest that apex predators may maintain their ecological roles in fragmented landscapes up to a threshold of human disturbance, beyond which top-down regulation weakens and ecosystem function deteriorates.

Deciphering the origins of phenotypic variations in natural animal populations is a challenging topic for evolutionary and conservation biologists. Atypical morphologies in mammals are usually attributed to interspecific hybridisation or de-novo mutations. Here we report the case of four golden jackals ( Canis aureus ), that were observed during a camera-trapping wildlife survey in Northern Israel, displaying anomalous morphological traits, such as white patches, an upturned tail, and long thick fur which resemble features of domesticated mammals. Another individual was culled under permit and was genetically and morphologically examined. Paternal and nuclear genetic profiles, as well as geometric morphometric data, identified this individual as a golden jackal rather than a recent dog/wolf-jackal hybrid. Its maternal haplotype suggested past introgression of African wolf ( Canis lupaster ) mitochondrial DNA, as previously documented in other jackals from Israel. When viewed in the context of the jackal as an overabundant species in Israel, the rural nature of the surveyed area, the abundance of anthropogenic waste, and molecular and morphological findings, the possibility of an individual presenting incipient stages of domestication should also be considered.

Purpose of Review In reviewing the most recent literature, this article seeks to assess whether empirical studies support the proposition that scale mismatches between ecological processes and resource management actions—with a focus on conservation measures—result in poorer performance of those actions. Furthermore, the article aims to identify patterns and valuable insights from recent empirical literature in relation to this conceptual framework. Recent Findings We reviewed 122 case studies in 93 papers published mainly in the last 5 years. We identified the outcomes of the relevant management action and evaluated the nature of these scale matches and mismatches in time, space, and functional properties across five different conservation strategies and five distinct types of ecological systems. Summary Our findings largely support the scale fit conceptual framework. Spatial scale (mis)matches are documented and published far more frequently than temporal and functional case studies. Furthermore, mismatches outnumber matches in the reviewed literature. However, certain realms of conservation practice such as farmland and fishery management were exceptions to this rule. We encourage documenting and publishing more examples of successful scale matches, especially in areas where they are lacking, in order to provide valuable experience and inspiration for the planning of future conservation efforts.