Socio-ecological predictors of livestock attacks by spotted hyenas

The aim of this study was to determine the socio-ecological variables that can predict the livestock attack by spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) in three villages, Chereche, Kowak and Omuga, in Rorya District, Tanzania. Data... [ view full abstract ]

The aim of this study was to determine the socio-ecological variables that can predict the livestock attack by spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) in three villages, Chereche, Kowak and Omuga, in Rorya District, Tanzania. Data were collected in these villages using standardised questionnaire and interviews involving 194 respondents from households that claimed to be affected by hyenas. Through direct observation of environmental variables and livestock bomas for night holding, generated more data. The data was stored electronically and analysed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS). We tested predictions derived from four hypotheses based on factors likely to influenced livestock predation. 1) livestock predation should decline as the foraging distance of hyenas from the Rorya hills (where hyenas were thought to chiefly den) to study villages increased; 2) livestock predation should increase with the total number of livestock and domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) within each study village; 3) the predation of livestock should increase with presence of thickets, riverine forest, and kopjes where spotted hyenas can hide; 4) Strong night holding pen and proper disposal of household waste should reduce the livestock predation. Multinomial Logistic Regression analysis revealed that household owning sheep, distance of household from Rorya hill, presence of hills and thickets closer to household and improper disposal of household wastes were significant predictors of livestock attack by spotted hyenas. Strong night holding bomas predicted the chances of spotted hyenas’ failure to attack the livestock. We consider that non-environmental variables, which are manageable like the high number of livestock per village and the disposal of household waste, combined with lack of predator proof bomas may all contribute to the relatively high predation of small livestock in study villages. Results of our study suggest that four measures would reduce livestock depredation in study villages: 1) The construction of predator proof bomas; 2) a significant reduction in the disposal of household waste in field close to villages; and 3) a reduction in bushmeat hunting to increase wild ungulate prey for wild carnivores. Moreover, improved veterinary services to reduce livestock losses to disease would increase meat production and the income of farmer.