Large Carnivores in the Tarangire Ecosystem

Kiffner, Christian; Foley, Charles; Foley, Lara; Montgomery, Robert A.; Kissui, Bernard M.

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-93604-4_11

Cited by 2 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 80 publications

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“…Of the four extant hyena species in the family Hyaenidae, only the striped and spotted hyena are found in the area. Little is known about the geographic distribution and behavior of the striped hyena [29,43], and some researchers have suggested that local pastoralists may not differentiate between striped and spotted hyenas (Fisi in kiSwahili; Olng'ojine in Maa) [82]. However, only one striped hyena was seen during the period of my field research-a carcass on the A104 highway adjacent to Manyara Ranch.…”

Section: Existing Literature On Hyena Dynamics In the Tarangire Ecosy...mentioning

confidence: 91%

“…The climate is semi-arid with bimodal rainfall patterns that generally produce alternating long and short dry seasons (June-October and January-February), punctuated by short and long rainy periods (November-December and March-May). The centerpiece of the ecosystem is Tarangire National Park, which hosts a remarkable array of wild species, including a large population of elephants and numerous other species of endangered large mammals [43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51]. The total area of the park, however, is only 2850 km 2 , which represents a small portion of the entire ecosystem.…”

Section: Social-ecological Context Of Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Numerous independent ecological surveys have been carried out documenting the abundance and density of large carnivores in the Tarangire ecosystem [72][73][74][75][76]. However, a comprehensive carnivore monitoring program does not exist [43]. As Kiffner et al (2022:238) write, "it is not presently clear how large each of the carnivore populations [in the Tarangire ecosystem] is in each of the land-use zones and the potential types of competition that are evident" [43].…”

Section: Existing Literature On Hyena Dynamics In the Tarangire Ecosy...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, a comprehensive carnivore monitoring program does not exist [43]. As Kiffner et al (2022:238) write, "it is not presently clear how large each of the carnivore populations [in the Tarangire ecosystem] is in each of the land-use zones and the potential types of competition that are evident" [43]. Generally, ecological methods used to study carnivore populations in the ecosystem include individually identifying lions [77], systematic camera trapping [78], spoor surveys [79], and transect counts of herbivores that lead to carnivore sightings [60].…”

Section: Existing Literature On Hyena Dynamics In the Tarangire Ecosy...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recent studies suggest that the local ecological knowledge of pastoralists in East Africa may provide a fairly accurate representation of carnivore populations that can be used to triangulate ecological studies of carnivore abundance and density [80,81]. synthesize the existing literature to estimate the relative abundance and distribution of carnivores across the Tarangire ecosystem [43]. Of the four extant hyena species in the family Hyaenidae, only the striped and spotted hyena are found in the area.…”

Section: Existing Literature On Hyena Dynamics In the Tarangire Ecosy...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Human–Hyena (Crocuta crocuta) Conflict in the Tarangire Ecosystem, Tanzania

Raycraft

2024

Conservation

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Interactions between people and large carnivores on shared landscapes can have harmful social and ecological consequences. Human–carnivore coexistence depends on an assemblage of sociological factors including effective management institutions that address the social costs of carnivore conservation and promote tolerance toward wildlife. In East Africa, large carnivores are particularly troublesome for herders who depend on livestock for subsistence and wellbeing. This paper provides an overview of human–hyena conflict in the Tarangire ecosystem of northern Tanzania. It presents descriptive results from a questionnaire survey (n = 1076) administered as part of an anthropological study (2019–2020; 2022; 2023) of human–wildlife interactions across twelve villages inhabited by Maasai agropastoralists. The survey instrument was designed through community-based participatory research methods to convey herder concerns about the impacts of spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) on the livestock economy. Based on the perceptions and local ecological knowledge of Maasai interlocutors, the paper provides an overview of the spatial and temporal patterns of human–hyena interactions. Perceived frequencies of hyena attacks on kraaled livestock were unevenly distributed geographically, with those homesteads surrounding Manyara Ranch most heavily affected. Based on herder-reported livestock losses, the costs of depredation by spotted hyenas across the study area were estimated at approximately USD 904.84 per household per year. Most homesteads lacked fortified bomas and would benefit from the provision of lights and fencing materials to improve kraal structures. The paper’s central finding is that spotted hyenas represent a pressing, everyday concern for local pastoralists. Unsurprisingly, herders despise hyenas and are intolerant of sharing landscapes with them. For carnivore conservation outside protected areas to thrive in Tanzania, conservationists and policy makers must engage more meaningfully with the lived experiences of local herders who bear the brunt of conservation costs on their livelihoods.

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Section: Existing Literature On Hyena Dynamics In the Tarangire Ecosy...mentioning

confidence: 91%