Effectiveness of community-based livestock protection strategies: a case study of human–lion conflict mitigation

Lovemore Sibanda,Paul J Johnson,Roger H Parry,Andrew J Loveridge,David W Macdonald,Esther Van Der Meer,Liomba J Mathe,Courtney Hughes,Bongani Dlodlo,Jane E Hunt

doi:10.1017/s0030605321000302

Lovemore Sibanda, Paul J Johnson + Show 8 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1017/s0030605321000302

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Abstract

AbstractConservation scientists are increasingly recognizing the need to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to improve human–wildlife coexistence across different contexts. Here we assessed the long-term efficacy of the Long Shields Community Guardians programme in Zimbabwe. This community-based programme seeks to protect livestock and prevent depredation by lionsPanthera leothrough non-lethal means, with the ultimate aim of promoting human–lion coexistence. Using a quasi-experimental approach, we measured temporal trends in livestock depredation by lions and the prevalence of retaliatory killing of lions by farmers and wildlife managers. Farmers that were part of the Long Shields programme experienced a significant reduction in livestock loss to lions, and the annual number of lions subject to retaliatory killing by farmers dropped by 41% since the start of the programme in 2013, compared to 2008–2012, before the programme was initiated. Our findings demonstrate the Long Shields programme can be a potential model for limiting livestock depredation by lions. More broadly, our study demonstrates the effectiveness of community-based interventions to engage community members, improve livestock protection and ameliorate levels of retaliatory killing, thereby reducing human–lion conflict.

Highlights

Over the past centuries, more than % of large carnivore populations have experienced substantial range contractions and population declines (Ripple et al, )
Using farmers’ reports of livestock depredation and retaliatory killing of lions, we examined the effectiveness of the community-based Long Shields Community Guardians programme, which aims to promote human–lion coexistence
We found that participating farmers reported a significant reduction of livestock loss to lions, compared to those not included in the programme

Summary

Introduction

Over the past centuries, more than % of large carnivore populations have experienced substantial range contractions and population declines (Ripple et al, ). Negative interactions of large carnivores with people and livestock are a significant threat to the persistence of carnivore populations (Wolf & Ripple, ). The human population is increasing, and this is likely to exacerbate conflicts involving wildlife and lead to further declines of large carnivores (Wittemyer et al, ). Facilitating long-term coexistence between people and wild carnivores is an urgent conservation priority (Ripple et al, ). The African lion Panthera leo, the largest predator in the savannah ecosystem, is negatively affected by the consequences of the increasing human population (Bauer et al, ). Conflict with people along the boundaries of protected areas threatens the long-term viability of the remaining lion populations (Bauer et al, ). Robust interventions are needed to reduce the impact of lions on people, and the resulting retaliatory killing of lions (Bauer et al, )

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