IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Dickman, A.; Durant, S. | |
| Investigating Key Determinants of Human-Large Cat Conflict around Ruaha National Park in Tanzania | |
| 2007 Conference Proceeding | |
Human-wildlife conflict is an issue of pressing conservation concern, particularly when it involves threatened species, and accurately identifying the causes of conflict is fundamental to developing effective resolution strategies. This study investigated pastoralists' attitudes towards wildlife, particularly large felids, in the area around Ruaha National Park in Tanzania, which is a globally important area for biodiversity. Pastoralists reported intense conflict with wildlife, especially big cats, and were largely hostile towards the nearby Park, as wild animals cross the boundary and cause problems on village land. Although the level of retaliatory wildlife killing was low, this was mainly due to circumstantial constraints rather than innate tolerance, highlighting a likely conservation concern for the future. A range of factors affected the severity of respondents' conflict with large cats, including ethnic group, wealth, income sources, social status and levels of livestock loss experienced. Successful conflict mitigation will depend upon reducing depredation through better husbandry, and upon improving the cost-benefit ratio of wildlife presence to ensure that local people receive direct, relevant benefits from conservation. Identifying the main factors influencing conflict, and therefore developing the most appropriate mitigation schemes, should have significant benefits both for human and wild cat populations in this important area. |
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