Human-Wild Dog Conflict: Perspectives from Mangetti

The wild dog (Lycaon pictus) population living in the Greater Mangetti Complex, north-east Namibia, face the same challenges as large carnivores elsewhere: sustaining a viable population in an anthropized area, where... [ view full abstract ]

The wild dog (Lycaon pictus) population living in the Greater Mangetti Complex, north-east Namibia, face the same challenges as large carnivores elsewhere: sustaining a viable population in an anthropized area, where human-wildlife conflict is common. In light of this challenge, N/a’an ku se initiated a project to assess the conflict and implement mitigation measures. 

Wild dogs mainly hunt medium-sized antelope but occasionally do represent a danger to livestock. Preliminary analysis of scat samples retrieved from inactive wild dog dens on the Kavango Cattle Ranch produced evidence of livestock remains. Consequently, wild dogs are viewed as pests and are regularly persecuted by landowners and eliminated from livestock production areas due to perceived or actual livestock predation. According to farmers who participated in initial surveys, 18% of sightings were in direct conflict situations. Surveys further point out that between 2012 and 2016 land managers have persecuted 57 wild dogs in the area but these numbers are unconfirmed and unreported offtakes are possibly higher. More than 80% of landowners (n = 59) continue to perceive wild dogs as conflict predators. Conflict calls from land managers consistently indicate incidents of livestock (mainly sub-adult cattle) depredation by wild dogs but further interviews with such land managers show that only an estimated 10% of livestock losses are due to wild dog depredation. Additionally, semi-structured surveys show that lethal persecution, especially during denning periods when farmers experience concentrated predation by wild dogs, continues to be commonplace. Indiscriminate persecution presents the most significant threat to the species. Furthermore, the loss of wild dog habitat dedicated to livestock and recently game ranching, drastically increases human – wild dog interface and is adding to the challenges of wild dog conservation in Namibia. Therefore, the Mangetti Complex must be regarded as a high conflict zone due to its predominant use for livestock production. However, farmers are aware of the “endangered” status of wild dogs and often tolerate these if little or no livestock depredation occurs. The aim is to further alleviate the conflict with and antagonism towards wild dogs in support of their conservation and management for the benefit of all.