Local Knowledge Research Articles

Institutional complexity in cross-border HRM practices: a comparative analysis in India

PurposeThis study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of human resource management (HRM) practices between domestic and multinational enterprises within India, a large emerging economy. It also highlights the distinct institutional arrangements that potentially influence the employment practices of these organizations.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from a diverse sample of domestic and multinational enterprises in India. The study utilized multivariate analysis to examine HRM practices, focusing on training and development, incentives and rewards and retention practices.FindingsContrary to initial expectations, the results indicate that DEs place significantly more emphasis on HRM practices than MNEs. This finding suggests that organizational scale and global presence do not consistently translate into a greater emphasis on critical HRM parameters. Instead, DEs leverage their local market knowledge and understanding of cultural and institutional nuances to prioritize effective HRM strategies.Research limitations/implicationsThe study did not categorize the nationality of MNEs, which could reveal how different cultural contexts impact HRM practices. It is possible that MNEs headquartered in distinct cultural contexts may exhibit varying behaviors compared to enterprises based in different cultural environments. Additionally, while our findings reveal that domestic enterprises prioritize certain HRM practices over multinational firms, the question remains whether this emphasis translates into favorable organizational performance outcomes.Practical implicationsBoth multinational and domestic enterprises should tailor their HRM practices to align with local dynamics and institutional arrangements. DEs can use their emphasis on HRM practices as a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining local talent, while MNEs should enhance cross-cultural competence to better integrate within different national contexts.Originality/valueThis study introduces a critical rethinking of HRM practices by illustrating the unique ways DEs and MNEs navigate institutional complexities within India. Unlike traditional assumptions that emphasize the superiority of MNE practices, this research uncovers how DEs strategically leverage local institutional knowledge to outperform MNEs in HRM dimensions. By embedding these findings within institutional theory, this study extends the theoretical discourse on organizational adaptability in emerging markets and provides actionable insights for aligning HRM strategies with local institutional contexts, fostering a comprehensive understanding of HRM dynamics across diverse economies.

Attenborough’s echidna rediscovered by combining Indigenous knowledge with camera-trapping

We confirm the ‘rediscovery’ of Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna (Zaglossus attenboroughi), one of only five modern egg-laying mammals and, until now, one of the planet’s most enigmatic ‘lost species’. Unrecorded for 62 years, we present the first scientific evidence of its survival to the present day. We highlight the importance of combining local Indigenous knowledge with camera-trapping to making the rediscovery, and we also discuss follow-up conservation actions to safeguard this Critically Endangered species.

Indigenous knowledge for sustainable food security in Turiani division, Tanzania

Indigenous knowledge for sustainable food security in Turiani division, Tanzania

ROLE OF CURRICULUM IN INTEGRATING IKS THROUGH NEP 2020: CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 marks a significant turning point in the evolution of India's education system, placing strong emphasis on the revival and integration of the Indian Knowledge System (IKS). With roots in India’s vast intellectual traditions encompassing the 14 classical Vidyas and 64 forms of Kala. IKS offers a unique opportunity to embed cultural authenticity and practical wisdom into modern learning environments. Its inclusion within higher education aims to both conserve India’s ancient knowledge and enrich contemporary education with values-based learning, life skills, artisanal crafts, agriculture, wellness practices and indigenous wisdom. However, realizing this vision requires a methodical and inclusive approach. Key strategies include introducing foundational courses, fostering interdisciplinary connections, encouraging research, promoting experiential learning, engaging with traditional knowledge holders and investing in teacher training. One of the foremost challenges identified is the absence of a standardized curriculum framework which creates confusion among institutions regarding how to meaningfully embed IKS into existing academic structures. This paper explores the strengths, gaps, opportunities and implementation barriers related to the curricular integration of IKS in higher education and proposes strategic directions to overcome these complexities. Keywords: Indian Knowledge System (IKS), National Education Policy 2020, Higher Education, Curriculum Innovation, Educational Challenges, Pedagogical Reform

When a state seeks to deport non-citizens, who are its citizens? Determining membership in the twenty-first century

ABSTRACT This paper, developed from the author’s keynote opening paper at the conference from which this collection derives, interrogates the power of the State over the individual; not only of the non-citizen, who the State may choose to deport, but also the power of the State over the citizenry. How the State manages and regulates the makeup of community and identifies who are its members has always been a challenge, but we grapple with this in the 2020s during a period of populism 1 1 Peter G Danchin and others, ‘International Law and the Rise of Populism’ (forthcoming 2025) Virginia Journal of International Law. and fragmentation in democracies around the world, heightened in a post-COVID age. Whether through law or through politics, how can and should the State utilise its power to consider the needs of and the good of all? How can the power of the State be used to ensure that power is exercised for all, because if this were the motivation, this would result in a more cohesive community where mass deportation would not necessarily be a policy prism resorted to. Drawing on indigenous knowledge and concepts of citizenship, this paper provides ideas for such a model.

Valuing nature: A comprehensive review of ecosystem services in India

The concept of ecosystem services (ES) has garnered global recognition due to its substantial impact on human well-being. Biodiversity loss, driven by both direct and indirect factors, has led to a decrease in the lifespan of ecosystems and their ability to offer ecosystem services. On a global scale, ES assessments are increasingly utilised by academicians to develop sustainable and environmentally focused policies. In India, ES-related research has been steadily expanding to capture the various benefits, both tangible and intangible, provided by numerous ecosystems. This study analyses 71 research articles to evaluate the increasing trend of ecosystem research and examine their methodological approaches. The gaps in existing research and literature have been extensively examined. The study reveals that while ecosystem services obtained from woods have been extensively studied, blue water ecosystems have not been adequately researched. Additionally, there is a lack of research on both the immediate and long-term impacts of global warming and other environmental concerns on the availibity of ecosystem services. A comprehensive evaluation of environmental sustainability necessitates the integration of interdisciplinary approaches. Future ES assessments should incorporate both conventional and indigenous knowledge systems within the evaluation framework to develop practical and long-lasting policy recommendations.

Farmers perception of climate change trends in Ethiopia: implications for crafting robust adaptation strategies

ABSTRACT Climate change threatens food security and nutrition for nearly a billion people, especially smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia. This study examines climate trends, farmers’ perceptions, and factors influencing these perceptions to guide adaptation strategies. Temperature and rainfall trends were analyzed using the Modified Mann-Kendall test and Sen’s Slope Estimator, while data from 646 households were analyzed through descriptive statistics and a probit model. The results show a consistent rise in mean temperatures in all three agroecological zones, with increases of 0.023°C, 0.020°C, and 0.024°C in the highland, lowland, and midland regions, respectively. Rainfall also increased by 2.37 mm yr−¹, 2.18 mm yr−¹, and 1.52 mm yr−¹ in these regions. Farmers report rising temperatures, greater daily fluctuations, more frequent heatwaves, and irregular rainfall patterns over the past 30 years. Awareness of climate change is influenced by socio-demographic and farm-related factors, including farming experience, land ownership, ICT access, and proximity to markets. The study emphasises the importance of improving climate information dissemination, strengthening ICT infrastructure, and enhancing agricultural extension services to align farmers’ perceptions with scientific data. Key recommendations include expanding access to reliable climate information, integrating local knowledge with scientific data, and enhancing real-time weather monitoring. These actions will help strengthen farmers’ resilience and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Highlights Climate change presents significant threats worldwide, with a pronounced impact on Sub-Saharan African nations like Ethiopia. The study thoroughly investigates climatic trends, focusing on smallholder farmers’ perceptions of climate change. Farmers’ perceptions of climate change: – offering insights into their understanding and interpretation of environmental shifts. The research explores the implications of farmers’ perceptions for adaptation strategies, aiming to inform effective responses to climate change. Given the specific challenges faced by smallholder farmers in Ethiopia and similar regions, the study's findings hold particular significance for crafting tailored adaptation measures.

Generation-Based Few-Shot BioNER via Local Knowledge Index and Dual Prompts.

Few-shot Biomedical Named Entity Recognition (BioNER) presents significant challenges due to limited training data and the presence of nested and discontinuous entities. To tackle these issues, a novel approach GKP-BioNER, Generation-based Few-Shot BioNER via Local Knowledge Index and Dual Prompts, is proposed. It redefines BioNER as a generation task by integrating hard and soft prompts. Specifically, GKP-BioNER constructs a localized knowledge index using a Wikipedia dump, facilitating the retrieval of semantically relevant texts to the original sentence. These texts are then reordered to prioritize the most semantically relevant content to the input data, serving as hard prompts. This helps the model to address challenges demanding domain-specific insights. Simultaneously, GKP-BioNER preserves the integrity of the pre-trained models while introducing learnable parameters as soft prompts to guide the self-attention layer, allowing the model to adapt to the context. Moreover, a soft prompt mechanism is designed to support knowledge transfer across domains. Extensive experiments on five datasets demonstrate that GKP-BioNER significantly outperforms eight state-of-the-art methods. It shows robust performance in low-resource and complex scenarios across various domains, highlighting its strength in knowledge transfer and broad applicability.

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used to treat human and livestock ailments in Addi Arkay district, northwest Ethiopia

BackgroundEthiopia harbors a wealth of plant biodiversity, diverse ecological zones, rich cultural heritage, and long-standing traditional knowledge and medical practices. Despite documentation of this knowledge in few regions, information remains limited for the Addi Arkay district of northwestern Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to document the indigenous and local knowledge on the use of human and livestock medicinal plants.MethodologyEthnobotanical data were collected between October and December 2024 through semi-structured interviews, guided field observations, focus group discussions, and ranking exercises conducted with 385 informants. Stratified sampling, random, and purposive sampling techniques were employed. A mixed-methods approach (both qualitative and quantitative) was used for data analysis. Quantitative analyses included preference ranking, Direct Matrix Ranking (DMR), Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL), Jaccard Similarity Index (JSI), and Rahman’s Similarity Index (RSI). T tests and one-way ANOVA were employed to compare mean levels of indigenous and local knowledge across different socio-demographic and socio-economic factors.ResultsThis study documented 112 medicinal plant species (105 genera, 58 families, including four endemic and one nearly endemic) were used for human and livestock remedies in the Addi Arkay district, northwestern Ethiopia. Fabaceae was the dominant family (7.14%). The majority of plant species (75.89%) were used to treat human ailments, while a smaller proportion (5.36%) were used for livestock, and 18.75%) were used for both human and livestock ailments. The most frequently used plant parts were leaves (34.6%) followed by roots (27.9%), and grinding was the most common method of preparation (30.4%). The preference ranking exercise revealed Opuntia ficus-indica as the top choice for treating human hemorrhoids and Phytolacca dodecandra as the preferred treatment for rabies in livestock. DMR revealed Cordia africana, Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata, and Terminalia leiocarpa as the most threatened multipurpose medicinal plants. Informant Consensus Factor values ranged from 0.63 to 0.93. Fidelity level analysis revealed that Phytolacca dodecandra was most effective against rabies, followed by Rubia cordifolia for cough and Plumbago zeylanica for swelling. Agricultural expansion posed the most significant threat, followed by overgrazing and fuel (charcoal and fuel wood). The highest levels of indigenous and local medicinal plant knowledge were predominantly transmitted orally through family lines, with paternal contributions often playing a significant role. Compared to other studies conducted in Ethiopia, the Jaccard Similarity Index (JSI%) for human medicinal plants ranged in value from 6.9% to 68.92% and for veterinary plants from 10.91% to 27.91%, whereas the Rahman’s Similarity Index (RSI) ranged from 0.98% to 15.63%. Ten novel medicinal plant uses, not previously documented in Ethiopia or elsewhere, were identified.ConclusionThis pioneering study in Addi Arkay district, northwestern Ethiopia, documented 112 medicinal plants for the treatment of human and livestock ailments, revealing the significant array of plant resources utilized for local primary healthcare services. However, threats from agricultural expansion, overgrazing, and fuel (charcoal and fuel wood) use necessitate in situ and ex situ conservation actions. Implementing sustainable harvesting practices and community-based conservation initiatives is recommended to protect the rich medicinal plants wealth of the district for continual use across generations besides ensuring preservation of valuable ethnomedicinal knowledge.

Decolonising Science Education: A Bibliometric Analysis of Indigenous Knowledge Integration in Global STEM

This study presents a systematic bibliometric review of research on Indigenous knowledge integration within global STEM education between 2015 and 2025. Using keyword co-occurrence mapping and cluster analysis, the study identifies thematic patterns, research trajectories, and conceptual gaps in the emerging discourse on decolonizing science education. The findings reveal that integration efforts remain fragmented, often limited to isolated case studies or tokenistic curriculum adaptations. Genuine transformation requires coherent frameworks that position Indigenous epistemologies as foundational rather than peripheral to scientific inquiry. The study highlights the critical need for community collaboration, contextualised pedagogy, and systemic reform to foster epistemic justice and educational equity. By mapping current research landscapes, this review contributes to advancing more inclusive and pluralistic models of science education worldwide.

Exploring farmer perspectives on Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc]: production constraints, preferred varietal traits and implications for varietal development in northern Namibia

In Namibia, Bambara groundnut is one of the few legume crops grown for human consumption and adapted to the local growing drier conditions. However, the crop is produced at a subsistence level and sold as a boiled snack from the unshelled fresh pods. Its yield levels are low, and a dedicated crop improvement program is lacking. This study was carried out to determine the status of Bambara groundnut production and its constraints in Namibia. In addition, what are the farmer’s preferred varietal characteristics, choice of ideotypes, and motivators that can lead to more production of the crop. Data was collected through participatory approaches in four of the Bambara groundnut producing regions of Namibia, in the northern part of the country. The study involved 112 semi-structured interviews, 74 focus group respondents, and transect walks. Based on frequency tabulations, land preparation depended on tillage implements (43% of tractors and animal-drawn power each, and 11% hand hoes). The ridge and furrow was the widely adopted planting method (72%) and served as a coping mechanism to limited water resources. Farmers utilized indigenous knowledge on crop management and seed preservation. Most farmers (71%) grow mixed seeds, whilst 29% grow a pure stand. Varietal preferences were highly diverse on seed color (cream 40%, red 20%, cream mottled 19%, black 13%, other colors 3%). Informal channels dominated the seed distribution (51% open market, 41% as exchanges, 8% public-private). The chi-square test was used to examine relationships between categorical variables and test whether the variables were independent or associated. Findings revealed that it was a gender-neutral crop in production, although there were role-specificities for men and women. To compare motivators to increase Bambara groundnut production across the agroecologies, a Kruskal-Wallis test was conducted. The Friedman analysis of variance was computed to test for differences in production constraints, and the Wilcoxon Post hoc test was used for pairwise comparison of the constraints variables across the surveyed regions. Production constraints were many, however, unreliable rainfall and the absence of improved varieties were the most prevalent. The choice of ideotype that farmers preferred were early maturity, drought tolerance, high yield, prolificacy, and a bunched type. This study recommends breeding for higher yield, drought resistant and early maturing varieties in combination with the other preferred traits. In essence, pre-breeding strategies should incorporate earliness to maturity as a drought escape mechanism for the normal to below rainfall regions.

The impact of industrial-scale chicken production on ethnic minority women and smaller-scale heritage farming in the Northern Mountainous Region of Vietnam

ABSTRACT The Northern Mountainous Region (NMR) is one of the poorest areas in Vietnam. In rural communities, ethnic minority people tend to subsist on livestock and crops grown locally on a smaller scale. The raising of heritage breeds of chicken for eggs and meat according to sustainable agriculture by women, for example, is a common way of securing a vital source of nutrition and income. It also contributes to the maintenance of genetic diversity and indigenous knowledge systems of production. As more industrial production systems of chicken are rapidly being developed across Vietnam, and in the NMR in particular, rural livelihoods are being considerably affected. This study explores the results of these changes in four districts of Thai Nguyen and Bac Giang Provinces where ethnic minorities dominate the population. Overall, this article provides a realistic view of the impact of industrial chicken production on small-scale female ethnic minority farmers and their communities. Innovative solutions in support of these communities in Vietnam are posited with application to other rural populations in developing countries undergoing a rapid commodification of animal husbandry and the countryside.

Unpacking the “cultural costs” of social license to operate on environmental governance among ethnic minorities in China

This study explores the role of social license to operate (SLO) in environmental policy governance, focusing on the cultural complexities in ethnic minority regions. It argues that cultural costs, an often overlooked aspect of SLO, play a significant role in shaping community acceptance or resistance. Using a case study from a Yao ethnic community in Guangdong Province, China, the research highlights the unintended consequences of environmental policies, particularly relocation efforts. Findings reveal that such policies are likely to contribute to the erosion of traditional knowledge, the weakening of cultural identity, the restriction of cultural practices, and the undermining of indigenous governance, leading to distrust among the Yao people. This study emphasizes the importance of considering cultural costs in policy design to ensure environmental measures are both effective and culturally sensitive.

Deep learning can predict global earthquake-triggered landslides

Abstract Earthquake-triggered (coseismic) landsliding is among the most lethal disasters, and rapid response is crucial to prevent cascading hazards that further threaten lives and infrastructure. Current prediction approaches are limited by oversimplified physical models, regionally focused databases, and retrospective statistical methods, which impede timely and accurate hazard assessments. To overcome these constraints, we developed the first comprehensive global database of ∼400,000 landslides associated with 38 of the most catastrophic earthquakes over the past 50 years. Leveraging this extensive dataset, we developed advanced deep-learning models that predict the probability of landsliding for any earthquake worldwide with an average spatial accuracy of ∼82% in less than a minute, without relying on prior local knowledge. Our framework enables swift disaster evaluation during the critical early hours following an earthquake while also enhancing pre-event hazard planning. This study offers a scalable and efficient tool to mitigate the catastrophic impacts of earthquake-triggered landslides, representing a transformative advance in global geohazard prediction.

Integrating Endogenous Development Principles into Local Development Planning Systems in Ghana: A Theoretical Framework for Sustainable Socio-Economic Growth

Development planning in Ghana has long been shaped by exogenous models that emphasise external expertise and solutions, often to the detriment of local knowledge systems and community participation. This study is motivated by the need to reorient planning practices towards more culturally aligned and sustainable outcomes through the integration of endogenous development principles. It aims to construct a theoretical framework for embedding these principles, specifically local knowledge utilisation, community participation, and sustainable resource management, into Ghana’s local development planning systems. Guided by two central research questions, the study explores what constitutes relevant endogenous development principles in the Ghanaian context and how these can be operationalised within existing planning processes. The study adopts a conceptual research design, utilising deductive reasoning and a comprehensive literature review to develop a theoretical model. It compares endogenous and exogenous paradigms, mapping core endogenous principles onto the stages of the local planning cycle. The findings suggest that integrating local knowledge and participatory mechanisms can enhance development outcomes by improving community ownership, aligning planning with local realities, and promoting long-term sustainability. The study concludes that policy reforms should institutionalise participatory planning, validate indigenous knowledge systems, and strengthen the capacity of local institutions. This integration not only complements Ghana’s decentralisation agenda but also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), offering a viable pathway for inclusive and resilient development.

Research and Innovations in Latin American Vitiviniculture: A Review

Latin America offers a unique point of view into the adaptation of viticulture to climate change through its rich diversity of climates, traditional knowledge, and scientific innovation. This review synthesizes the current research and technological developments across major wine-producing countries including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti. Argentina shows key adaptation strategies, including high-altitude vineyard relocation, clonal and rootstock selection, canopy and water management, and the conservation of Criolla and other autochthonous grapevine varieties. In Brazil, tropical viticulture and breeding programs led by Embrapa exemplify advancements in disease-resistant and climate-resilient cultivars. Chile’s heroic and southern viticulture highlights the importance of old vines, microclimatic heterogeneity, and territorial identity. Uruguay stands out for its terroir-based research and producer-led adaptation strategies. This review also addresses systemic challenges in scientific publishing, particularly the underrepresentation of Latin American researchers in global vitivinicultural discourse. These disparities underscore the need for inclusive science that values local knowledge and promotes equity in research funding and dissemination. Overall, Latin America stands out not only as a region highly vulnerable to climate change, but as an emerging model of adaptation and innovation, demonstrating how resilient, sustainable, and culturally rooted wine production can thrive under shifting environmental conditions.

Diversity of edible plants with ethnomedicinal properties utilized by the Ayangans of Northern Philippines

This ethnobotanical study documents the customary wisdom on medicinal edible plants used by the Ayangan community of the Northern Philippines. Semi-structured interviews with 50 informants were conducted and assessed using quantitative indices such as the fidelity level (FL), informant consensus factor (ICF), frequency of citation (RFC) and use value (UV). The study recorded 64 medicinal edible plants from 33 families, the most prevalent of which is the Fabaceae family. The majority of the edible plants were classified as vegetables. The leaf was the most commonly exploited plant portion for medical purposes. The Ayangans used these plants to treat 57 medical conditions, with cough being the most frequently reported. The decoction was the predominant preparation method and direct consumption of fresh or cooked edible plants was the primary mode of administration using a single plant or plant part. Capsicum frutescens L. had the highest RFC, while Carica papaya L. had the highest UV. The species with 100% fidelity levels included Ageratum conyzoides L., Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle, Carica papaya L., Areca catechu L. and Psidium guajava L., highlighting their significance in traditional medicine. Dermatological conditions had the highest ICF. These findings can help protect local plant biodiversity, traditional knowledge and future pharmaceutical developments of the identified edible plants with medicinal properties.

Exploring the Medicinal and Nutraceutical Frontiers of Tinospora Cordifolia in Stress and Cancer Management.

Tinospora cordifolia, commonly known as Guduchi, Giloy, or Amrita, has been a cornerstone of traditional medicine for centuries and is renowned for its diverse nutraceutical and medicinal potential. The plant exhibits immunomodulatory, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral activities due to its rich array of bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, diterpenoid lactones, polysaccharides, and others. These properties make Giloy a promising candidate for a variety of therapeutic applications. Further, as oxidative damage contributes to chronic diseases by affecting essential biomolecules, the antioxidant phytochemicals found in T. cordifolia counter the free radicals and offer significant health benefits. This comprehensive review delves into the health benefits and therapeutic efficacy of Giloy, with a particular focus on its mechanisms for mitigating stress and combating cancer. The preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated Giloy's ability to enhance antioxidant defences and induce apoptosis in cancerous cells. Additionally, it has shown potential in adjunct therapy to improve the quality of life for cancer patients by reducing the side effects associated with conventional cancer therapies. By exploring the multifaceted potential of T. cordifolia in modern medicine, this review aims to bridge the gap between traditional knowledge and contemporary scientific insights by addressing the underutilization of ancient herbal remedies in evidence-based healthcare. It also discusses future research directions and probable applications of Giloy in clinical practice, highlighting the importance of this ancient remedy in the context of modern healthcare practices, especially in cancer and stress management.

Integrating Indigenous Knowledge into Agri-Tourism for Sustainable Development

Integrating Indigenous Knowledge into Agri-Tourism for Sustainable Development

Assessing determinants of livestock predation by spotted hyenas in Nyang’hwale district and mitigation approaches adopted by the community

The study aimed to identify factors contributing to livestock attacks by spotted hyenas and evaluate the mitigation strategies employed in Nyang’hwale District, Geita Region, Tanzania, where such incidents are increasing. Data were collected through interviews with 384 households, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. Negative binomial models were used to determine factors associated with livestock attacks by hyenas. The findings indicate that grazing livestock near forested areas significantly elevates the risk of spotted hyena attacks due to proximity to predator habitats. Additionally, attacks were more frequent during the rainy season, likely because dense vegetation including crops provides cover for predators. The most commonly employed strategies to mitigate livestock attacks were staying awake to watch over the animals at night and using guard dogs to alert villagers. Traditional livestock enclosures proved inadequate in preventing attacks, underscoring the need for improved structures. Cultural beliefs in the district associate spotted hyenas with witchcraft, which discourages community members from taking direct action against them, resulting in appeals for government or traditional healers to manage the spotted hyena population. To address these challenges, further research is recommended to assess the spotted hyena population size, prey availability, and ecological dynamics in the district. Integrating traditional knowledge and community beliefs with conservation strategies will be crucial for fostering coexistence and reducing human-hyena conflicts, ultimately ensuring livestock safety, preserving the spotted hyena population, and improving human livelihoods.