IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Garba, H.H.M.; Di Silvestre, I. | |
| Conflicts between large carnivores and domestic livestock in the peripheral zone of the W transboundary Park in Niger | |
| 2008 Conference Proceeding | |
This study contributes to the conservation of large carnivores populations of the W Transboundary Park (WTP) in Niger and its pheriphery by analysing the causes of conflicts between carnivores and the rural communities. We evaluate the depredation of domestic livestock by large carnivores in the pheripheral zone of the WTP, and we estimate its economic impact. Methods used consisted of interviews in a sample of 32 villages of the 87 villages present in the study area, preselected according to criteria related to the presence of predation. A total of 154 people were interviewed, chosen among those whose livestock were attacked by carnivores. During the course of this study between 2000 and 2006, 3271 livestock of different species were attacked by wild carnivores. This equals an average number of 468 livestock per year or three (3) heads of livestock per person per year. The majority of attacks (593 cases during the 7 months) were caused by caracal or jackal (267 attacks, often impossible to distinguish which of the two caused the attacks), followed by spotted hyena (193 attacks) and lion (125 attacks). In contrast, the depredation caused by leopard (3 attacks), cheetah (2 attacks) and wild dog (2 attacks) are very rare. Among the species attacked most frequently are small ruminants (sheep and goats) followed by cattle and donkeys. The attacks occur mostly at night at grazing sites and during the rainy season. The total economic losses for all people interviewed between 2000 and 2006 are estimated at approximately FCFA 82,242,014 or USD 149,530. This loss equals an annual average of FCFA 76,291 or USD 138 per year per person. Of people interviewed, 81.53% had a negative attitude towards predators, while 14.28% confirm that they would kill predators, and 30.51% indicate they have no means to stop attacks. Only 6% of interviewed actively defend their livestock from wild carnivores. An information and training programme of rural populations on the prevention of carnivore attacks and on the value of carnivores in the environment is necessary to prevent an increase of problems in the coming years. |
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