Human-Carnivore Relationships in Western Tanzania: A Story of Conflict but also of Tolerance

In the frame of human-wildlife interactions carnivores are often considered as pest animals and have thus a negative image amongst human communities. This image is linked to their potential interference with human activities... [ view full abstract ]

In the frame of human-wildlife interactions carnivores are often considered as pest animals and have thus a negative image amongst human communities. This image is linked to their potential interference with human activities such as breeding or hunting, and to irrational fears. Not only do larger carnivores have this image to be pest species, also mesocarnivores are thought to have a potential impact particularly on poultry or on small game species. Furthermore, as many mesocarnivore species are food generalists, they might also have an impact on other food products like fruits or honey, or they may have a disturbance impact when they use human infrastructures as shelters.

Nonetheless, mesocarnivores might also have a positive image for given communities, depending on their traditions, culture or emotional dimension. In Western Tanzania, mesocarnivores enjoy to some extent to such a positive image. First as a resource, as several tribes use them in local medicine. It is especially the genets that are used in this way, but despite having a positive image their use requires them being trapped and killed. There is thus an existing conflict between their use and their conservation, although only a few animals are harvested every year for this purpose. Second, more recently some communities also recognized the value of this guild as attraction for wildlife viewing tourism. They are thus much more aware on the conservation interest of this group.

The feelings of local communities towards carnivores have been documented through guided enquires and more direct open discussions. From theses enquiries it came out that only communities living in a traditional way still considered mesocarnivores as a valuable resource. It also came out that carnivores are considered as potentially valuable for viewing tourism, as long as they stay outside of the villages, and as long as tourists are present.