IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Patterson, B.D.; Neiburger, E.J.; Kasiki, S.M. | |
| Tooth breakage and dental disease as causes of carnivore-human conflicts | |
| 2003 Journal of Mammalogy (84): 190-196 | |
Large carnivores that become marauders and man-eaters are frequently thought to be old or infirm, apparently incapable of normal predatory behavior. To evaluate whether this ''infirmity theory'' offers a general explanation for animal-human conflicts, we examined teeth and jaws of lions (_Panthera leo_) in museum collections. Although tooth wear and breakage are normal in lions, they are rarely accompanied by severe pathologies. Although the infirmity theory may explain specific instances of carnivore-human conflict, including the infamous case of Tsavo's man-eating lions, most other conflicts can be linked to alternative explanations, especially prey depletion in human-dominated areas, which trigger the opportunity and necessity of exploiting people or livestock (or both) as prey. |
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