| dc.description.abstract | Allover the world, human-wildlife conflict is an ever increasing problem for many
species of wildlife and especially true for large carnivores. They are often killed
when threatening humans and their domesticated animals, and since carnivores
trophic positions confine them to living at low population densities, their future
existence is critically threatened. Researchthat advances our understanding of
predator-livestock interactions is crucial to conflict mitigation and large carnivore
conservation. This study was conducted with the aim of (1) determining the large
carnivores involved in livestock predation (2) assessing livestock predation
Intensity and temporal occurrence in the pastoral ranches adjacent to Maasai
Mara National reserve, (3) assessing factors that influence livestock predation
specifically wild prey density, livestock density, carnivore density and
environment.
The study took place in Maasai Mara National Reserveand the adjacent group
ranches for duration of eight months. Data was collected via a combination of
various methods. Line transects sampling was done to estimate wild prey density
and distribution, quadrat sampling to estimate vegetation cover, questionnaires
and interviews to estimate livestock/carnivore density in the group ranches, and
secondary data retrieved from the KenyaWildlife Service, human wildlife conflict
occurrence book in Narok station.
Results showed that most livestock were attacked and killed during the rainy
season (61.2%). Lions (Panthera /eo), Leopards (Panthera perdus), Spotted
hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) and wild_dogs (Lycaon pictus) were responsible for
42.9%, 40.8%, 12.2% and 4.1% of the attacks respectively. Leopards (Panthera
pardl.ls) were identified as the most destructive, having attacked and killed 66%
of all livestock during this period. ANOVAresults indicated a significant difference
(F [3,308] =66.201, p<O.OOl), in grass height between the Reserveand the group
ranches. There was also a significant difference in grass cover between the
reserve and the group ranches. There was no significant difference in the
number of attacks on livestock (x2=:=4.5; df=2, p > 0.001) in all the three group
ranches.
During the rainy season most of the native ungulates especially the migratory
wildebeests and zebras are in the southern area of Serengeti and this seems to
alter the prey availability for resident large carnivores. They hence, turn to
livestock predation as the alternative source of food. Also during the rainy
season there is a lot of available pasture for the resident ungulates hence less
time is spent feeding and more on scanning for possible predators, thereby
giving carnivores a more difficult time to hunt. | en |
