Farmers Are Blasting an AC/DC Classic to Scare Off Wolves — And It Might Be Working
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The United States Department of Agriculture has taken a surprising approach to protecting livestock from wolf attacks — blasting AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” alongside other intense sounds. According to The Wall Street Journal, this unconventional tactic is part of an evolving strategy to deter predators without harming them. The goal is to keep cattle safe while respecting the protected status of wolves.
These deterrents are deployed using drones fitted with thermal cameras and loudspeakers. Acting as high-tech “cowhands,” these drones patrol pastures, scanning for movement in the dark. When a wolf is spotted, the drones swoop in and unleash a barrage of unsettling noises, from fireworks and gunshots to the heated argument between Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver in the film Marriage Story.
The idea is to disrupt the wolf’s natural behavior and create an environment they find too chaotic to approach. Early field tests suggest that this sonic approach can dramatically reduce predation incidents, offering hope for ranchers who have long struggled to keep their herds safe.
Success in the Klamath Basin
The method was put to the test in the Klamath Basin of southern Oregon after wolves killed 11 cows in just 20 days. In response, drones equipped with the new audio arsenal were deployed to monitor the area. These airborne guardians patrolled pastures during the night when wolves are most active, reacting instantly to any movement.
Over the next 85 days, the results were dramatic — cattle losses dropped from 11 to just two. This sharp decline in wolf attacks offered the first real proof that music and noise could serve as an effective, non-lethal deterrent. For ranchers facing mounting losses, it represented a potential turning point in how human-wildlife conflicts are managed.
Wildlife officials noted that these results, while promising, are part of a larger effort to rethink predator management in the modern era. As wolves continue to reclaim territory they once roamed freely, the need for innovative, adaptable solutions is only growing.
From Yellowstone to California
The wolf-livestock conflict is nothing new. Since wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park in 1995, their population has expanded across western states. While celebrated as a conservation success, their return has created fresh challenges for ranchers unaccustomed to dealing with predators of this scale.
The USDA’s drone and audio deterrent program is now being tested beyond Oregon, with sightings of the method in California and other western states. In these trials, wolves have reportedly fled immediately upon hearing the aggressive riffs of “Thunderstruck” or “Back in Black.” The strategy blends the primal power of rock music with modern surveillance tools in a way few could have predicted.
By adding the intense argument from Marriage Story into the mix, officials hope to reinforce the idea that human presence means danger for wolves. This variety of sounds is key to preventing the animals from becoming desensitized to any single noise over time.
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Will the Wolves Outsmart the Music?
While many ranchers welcome the technology, some remain cautious about its long-term impact. Wolves are intelligent and adaptable, and there’s concern that they may eventually recognize the sounds as harmless. Jim Rickert, a cattle ranch owner in California, voiced his skepticism, noting that while he hopes the method will succeed, he wouldn’t be surprised if the wolves find a way around it.
Still, the approach represents a significant shift in how predator control is viewed. Instead of relying on lethal methods, this strategy prioritizes coexistence by using fear and confusion to keep wolves away from livestock. If successful, it could become a model for other regions facing similar challenges with predators.
For now, the sound of AC/DC echoing across pastures serves as a symbol of this balance — a way to protect farmers’ livelihoods while allowing wolves to remain part of the ecosystem. Whether the beat will keep working in the long run remains to be seen, but for the moment, it’s striking the right chord.
