IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Funston, P.J. | |
| Executive Summary Kalahari Transfrontier Lion Project | |
| 2001 Full Book | |
Throughout Africa large terrestrial carnivores, like lions, have decreased substantially in numbers and distribution, largely due to increased conflict with human development mainly in the form of settlers and pastoralists (Schaller 1972, Anderson 1981, Childes 1988, Hines 1990, Ginsberg & Macdonald 1990, Stander 1990, 1993, Nowell & Jackson 1996). Increasing human activities coupled with increasing population growth are ultimately causing habitat loss and persecution of large carnivores, and hence the decline of wild populations (Myers 1986, Orford et al. 1988, Quigley & Crawshaw 1992, Stander 1997). Furthermore, local inhabitants and pastoralists view large carnivores with antagonism and as a nuisance, and tend to see little financial or aesthetic value in them (Stander 1993). In the process of protecting their livestock, pastoralists have in most areas virtually destroyed large carnivore populations through indiscriminate control methods. In many areas large carnivores still live on communal lands outside conservation areas (Stander 1993). Along the borders of conservation areas, most carnivores occasionally cause livestock depredation, especially as the intensity of peripheral pastoralism increases (Van der Meulen 1997, Anderson 1981, Hines 1990, Stander 1990). Harmonious relations and co-operation between domestic stock farmers and conservation practices in non-proclaimed areas and areas adjoining conservation areas (Martin 1984, Stander 1990, 1993, Mills 1991), Conservation strategies at the expense of local people do very little to promote conservation, are counter productive, and usually stimulate discontent, illegal hunting and indiscriminate poisoning (Bell 1984, Eltringham 1984, Thomson 1992). |
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