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Socio-economic correlates and management implications of livestock depredation by large carnivores in the Tarangire ecosystem, northern Tanzania

Mkonyi, FJ; Estes, AB; Msuha, MJ; Lichtenfeld, LL; Durant, SM; (2017) Socio-economic correlates and management implications of livestock depredation by large carnivores in the Tarangire ecosystem, northern Tanzania. International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services & Management , 13 (1) pp. 248-263. 10.1080/21513732.2017.1339734. Green open access

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Abstract

Livestock depredation by large carnivores is the key source of human–carnivore conflict worldwide and entails financial losses to livestock keepers. We examined the extent and patterns of livestock depredation, the financial impacts of livestock losses and determinants of livestock depredation by large carnivores in the Tarangire ecosystem of northern Tanzania. Of 300 households surveyed, 74.7% reported losses of 1906 livestock to wild predators over 1.5 years, which represents an annual loss rate of 1.4% of their total herd. Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) accounted for 70% of the total livestock loss, followed by leopard (Panthera pardus) (12%), African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) (8%), lion (Panthera leo) (7%) and cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) (3%). This loss equated to a total financial loss of US$141,847 amounting to approximately US$633/household/year. Depredation frequency by all carnivore species increased significantly with increasing number of livestock owned, respondent’s residency time, distance from the park boundary and declined significantly with increasing education, number of herders and improved fortified boma for cattle. Livestock depredation peaked during the wet season linked to seasonal migration of wild prey. Our study suggests that improving formal and conservation awareness education, boma fortification as well as improving herding practices could help mitigate the human–carnivore conflict.

Type: Article
Title: Socio-economic correlates and management implications of livestock depredation by large carnivores in the Tarangire ecosystem, northern Tanzania
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1080/21513732.2017.1339734
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1080/21513732.2017.1339734
Language: English
Additional information: © 2017 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Keywords: Financial losses, human–carnivore conflict, livestock depredation, livestock keepers, Tarangire ecosystem, wild predators
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > Div of Biosciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > Div of Biosciences > Genetics, Evolution and Environment
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1561286
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