UNDERSTANDING HUMAN-LARGE CARNIVORE CONFLICT IN CHOBE, BOTSWANA
Abstract
Large carnivores most often get in conflicts with people because they compete for
resources that humans require-space and food. Throughout Africa, large carnivores
have been eliminated or significantly reduced because of livestock predation. This
study is part of the Large Carnivore Research Project initiated by African Wildlife
Foundation (AWF) in the Chobe-Caprivi area of Botswana and Namibia respectively. Using
GPS collars (a male and a female lion) and spoor counts, data are being gathered on
population size, distribution, movement patterns and habitat use of large carnivores.
Human impacts are also being examined through mapping of settlements and community
interviews. Preliminary results confirm that areas of high carnivore activity correlate
positively with protected areas and water availability, and negatively with human
presence. Analysis of GPS data (Nov 2004-Oct 2005) from the collared lions has indicated
a clear preference for grassland however, male prefers woodland and shrubby savannah
more than the female. Additionally, enormous difference in space usage was observed
between male and female lion, which is likely to bring males closer to humans and
exacerbate conflicts. Male lion was closest to the human settlements in the dry season
(April-September) during dawn and dusk. Results from this project will be incorporated
into the current Chobe Land Use and Management Plan in order to effectively manage
land and mitigate existing conflict between people and carnivores and ensure the survival
of large carnivores in the region.
Type
Master's projectPermalink
https://hdl.handle.net/10161/572Citation
Nijhawan, Sahil (2008). UNDERSTANDING HUMAN-LARGE CARNIVORE CONFLICT IN CHOBE, BOTSWANA. Master's project, Duke University. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/572.Collections
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