Limiting Depredation by African Carnivores: the Role of Livestock Husbandry

Abstract

Most large carnivore species are in global decline. Conflict with local people, particularly over depredation on livestock, is a major cause of this decline, affecting both nominally protected populations and those outside protected areas. For this reason, techniques that can resolve conflicts between large carnivores and livestock farmers may make important contributions to conservation. We monitored rates of livestock depredation by lions ( Panthera leo), leopards ( Panthera pardus), cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), and spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta), and retributive killing of these species by farmers in livestock-producing areas of Laikipia District, Kenya. Farmers killed more lions, leopards, and spotted hyenas where these predators killed more livestock. Livestock husbandry had a clear effect on rates of depredation and hence on the numbers of predators killed. Cattle, sheep, and goats experienced the lowest predation rates when attentively herded by day and enclosed in traditional corrals (bomas) by night. Construction of the boma, the presence of watchdogs, and high levels of human activity around the boma were all associated with lower losses to predators. Although most of this work was carried out on commercial ranches, local Maasai and Samburu pastoralists have practiced nearly identical forms of husbandry for generations. Our study shows that traditional, low-tech husbandry approaches can make an important contribution to the conservation of large carnivores.Limitando la Depredación de Carnívoros Africanos: el Papel de la Crianza de Ganado Resumen: La mayoría de los carnívoros mayores están en declinación global. El conflicto con habitantes locales, particularmente por la depredación de ganado, es una de las mayores causas de tales declinaciones, lo que afecta tanto a poblaciones nominalmente protegidas como a aquéllas afuera deáreas protegidas. Por esta razón, las técnicas que resuelvan conflictos entre carnívoros mayores y ganaderos pueden constituir importantes contribuciones a la conservación. Analizamos las tasas de depredación de ganado por leones (Panthera leo), leopardos (Panthera pardus), chitas (Acinonyx jubatus) e hienas manchadas (Crocuta crocuta), y la matanza en represalia de estas especies por granjeros enáreas productoras de ganado en el Distrito Laikipia, Kenia. Los granjeros mataron más leones, leopardos e hienas donde estos depredadores mataron más ganado. La crianza de ganado tuvo un claro efecto sobre las tasas de depredación y, por lo tanto sobre el número de depredadores muertos. Reses, ovejas y cabras presentaron las tasas de depredación más bajas cuando eran cuidadas de día y encerradas en corrales tradicionales (bomas) por la noche. La construcción de la boma, la presencia de perros guardianes y altos niveles de actividad humana alrededor de la boma estuvieron asociados con menores pérdidas por depredadores. Aunque la mayor parte de este trabajo se llevó a cabo en ranchos comerciales, pastores Massai y Samburu locales han practicado formas casi idénticas de crianza por generaci...

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