1. Ecosystem Conservation Foundation
ECF
Ecosystem Conservation Foundation
Patterns of carnivores’ predation on livestock in Makgadikgadi
agricultural landscape
E. Seonyatseng1,L.P. Rutina2,3,, C. Mpofu1 and K. Mogwera2
1Department of Wildlife and National Parks, 2Okavango Research Institute,
3Ecosystem Conservation Foundation
INTRODUCTION
Coexistence between large predators and pastoralists within the same geographic location has resulted in prevalent conflict due to livestock depredations worldwide. This present challenges to conservation and concerns to local communities livelihoods. Livestock predation by carnivores is one of the most frequent sources of conflict between humans and wildlife throughout the world. This study aims to identify future risk areas for livestock depredation at cattle post level, based on the past incidents.
RESULTS
- Carnivores such as cheetah, jackal and caracal reports are very minimal
and occur very far from the protected area
Lion predation on cattle is more compared to other livestock species like donkey and horse. More kills occurred near the protected area during autumn and summer season (figure 1)
Lion predation decreased with distance from the park while predation by the other two carnivores increased with distance from the parks (figure 1 and 2)
Leopard and Wilddog predation on shoats were higher in winter season far from the protected area (Fig 3 and 4).
CONCLUSIONS
- The results suggest that lion and leopard prefer cattle as their prey and
lion predation occur near the protected area while subordinates
carnivores occurs very far from the protected area.
The results of this study also suggest that leopard and wild dog
compete on the same prey such as shoats and cattle.
METHODS
The study was conducted in cattleposts around Gweta in Western Tutume Sub-District. Carnivore predation data on livestock data was obtained from DWNP investigation diary forms. The data was categorized in four seasons (Autumn : Feb –April, Winter: May – July Spring: August – October, Summer: Nov- Jan). Cattle posts were clustered as Near (<10 km from protected areas), Far (between 10 and 20 km from Protected Areas) and Very Far (> 20 km from Protected areas).
Figure 1c. Interviewing farmers