Livestock Losses Research Articles

Livestock predation patterns by gray wolves and persian leopards in Iran

Large carnivore species frequently predate and consume wild or domestic prey, which is referred to as food-related predation. Large carnivores can also hunt and kill prey exceeding their immediate needs (i.e., they do not consume prey), which is referred to as surplus predation. We used 173 records of livestock predations by gray wolves (Canis lupus; n = 133) and Persian leopards (Panthera pardus tulliana; n = 40) reported by governmental organizations of Iran during 2009–2019 to investigate food-related and surplus predation incidents of livestock. We found that for wolves, the number of reported surplus predation incidents was greater than that of food-related predation incidents during all 4 seasons (spring through winter), whereas for leopards, the number of food-related and surplus predation incidents were similar in all seasons. The number of livestock killed per surplus predation incident was greater for wolves than for leopards and that surplus predations by both species occurred more frequently within corrals than on free-range pastures. As corrals in most villages across Iran are poorly constructed and largely accessible to predators, we recommend that livestock owners enhance corral construction, use well-trained dogs during day and particularly at night, employ people to watch livestock at night, and use fire (e.g., torches) during night to scare carnivores. These strategies can mitigate predation incidents and corresponding economic losses, resulting in fewer losses of livestock, wolves, and leopards, as these two carnivore species are mainly killed by humans due to livestock predations across Iran.

Serological and molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in ruminants from Somalia.

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infect a wide range of domestic and wild animals, including humans, in the case of T. gondii, and cause economic losses in livestock due to abortion and neonatal mortality. In Somalia, zoonotic diseases are concerning due to cultural practices and livestock's economic importance, but surveillance is limited. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and molecular prevalence of T. gondii and N. caninum in Somali sheep, goats, and cattle. A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2018 and January 2020 in Benadir and Lower Shabelle regions of Somalia. Blood samples were collected from 128 cattle, 184 goats, and 46 sheep. Serum samples were tested for anti-T. gondii and anti-N. caninum antibodies using IFAT, and PCR was performed on extracted DNA to detect T. gondii and N. caninum DNA. Overall, 106/358 (29.6%) animals tested positive for anti-T. gondii antibodies, with the highest prevalence in sheep (62.5%), followed by goats (30.4%) and cattle (15.6%) (P < 0.001). For anti-N. caninum antibodies, 13/358 (3.6%) animals tested positive, with cattle showing the highest prevalence (6.2%), followed by goats and sheep (both 2.2%). Co-seropositivity for both antibodies was found in cattle and sheep. Molecular detection of T. gondii DNA revealed a prevalence of 9/358 (2.5%), primarily in sheep (15.2%) and cattle at 1.6% while all goat samples tested negative. No samples were positive for the N. caninum Nc5 gene. This study reveals T. gondii and N. caninum prevalence in Somali ruminants, highlighting the need for better surveillance and control.

A One Health approach to pastoral (im)mobility, health, and disease: A qualitative participatory study in Plateau State, Nigeria.

In Plateau State, pastoralism has historically been a cost effective and resilient economic system well-suited to the ecological context. However, changes in land use and conflict have increasingly changed patterns of mobility. Pastoralist movement is now often associated with zoonotic disease transmission, environmental degradation and conflict, increasingly resulting in forced sedentarisation. Rather than a direct outcome of population movement however, animal, human and zoonotic disease drivers are complex and influenced by a range of socio-economic and environmental factors. The interlinkages of (im)mobility and health requires better understanding of underlying vulnerabilities to disease, which we aim to address in this study. Using a multisite case study methodology we investigated pastoralists' animal and human health concerns and priorities in Plateau State, Nigeria. We deployed participatory tools, including open-ended Focus Group Discussions, transect walks, mapping exercises, calendars and matrices. Data were analysed using a One Health conceptual framework. We interviewed 105 participants, from transhumance, migratory and sedentary households, dependent on livestock and small-scale crops. While transhumance was often preferred, participants had become sedentary as a result of insecurity, loss in livestock, and household characteristics. Humans and animals suffered from several endemic diseases, including zoonoses, however veterinary and human health services are only available in larger towns, and people mostly rely on community (animal) health workers and self-medication. Both transhumance and sedentary livestock keepers face challenges around forage grazing, regularly blocked by landowners, sometimes escalating into conflict. While conflict and changes in land use affected animal and human disease patterns, underlying political, social and economic risk factors were important determinants of health. There is a need for more inclusive, transdisciplinary, multilevel approaches to address animal and human disease, based on better contextualization of the challenges, through the participation of affected communities.

Serologic Survey of Brucella spp. in Culled Invasive Alien Mammals from El Palmar National Park, Argentina, and in Exposed Consumers.

Brucellosis is a worldwide zoonotic disease caused by Brucella spp. and transmitted from domestic and wild animals to humans. Brucellosis causes important economic losses in livestock, has a significant impact on public health, and may affect the health of wildlife. Hunting and consumption of meat from culled wildlife constitute a risk for Brucella spp. infection in humans and hunting dogs. In El Palmar National Park (EPNP), Argentina, the invasive alien mammals wild boar (Sus scrofa) and axis deer (Axis axis) are controlled, slaughtered in situ, and consumed by hunters, with meat trimmings and offal often fed to dogs. In this study, we evaluated but did not detect anti-Brucella antibodies in wild boar (n=95) and axis deer (n=238) from EPNP or in game consumers, dogs (n=39) and humans (n=61). These results suggest a lack of exposure to Brucella spp. at this site during the study period. Despite negative findings in the sampled location, One Health surveillance across multiple species contributes to our understanding of pathogen dynamics and enables targeted interventions to minimize health risks.

Assessment of the Local Strategies Used in Abating Flash Floods for Improvement of Community Livelihoods in Nyamwamba and Bulembia Divisions, Kasese District, Uganda

Floods are intricate events that cause a range of human exposures, including loss of lives, property, and damage to infrastructure of the communities. Flash floods though often blamed on inappropriate development planning and climate variability, floods can be predicted to a reasonable extent, whose scale and nature are often less certain. The study aims at assessing the local strategies used in abating flash floods for improvement of community livelihoods. Specifically, the study explored the challenges the local communities faced during the implementation of the strategies, and also determined the relationship that emanated as a result of implementing the local strategies and community livelihoods. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional survey design, collecting both quantitative and qualitative data from 218 respondents and 08 Key Informants that held key responsibilities at the Municipal Council and the community. Information from the respondents and Key Informants were collected using questionnaires which was in form of interviews and face to face interviews respectively. The study shows that some local strategies have been implemented towards controlling flash floods such as, restoration of river banks (69.3%) planting bamboo trees along river banks (66%), use of gabions (65.6%), putting check dams (65.6%) and construction of manmade channels (95.9%) along the hillsides. Putting flood barriers (73%) that floods affect the community livelihoods in various aspects of daily life and the local economy in terms damage of crops (74.8%) risk of diseases (83 %) loss of livestock (60 %), displacement (93%); The challenges faced in implementation of the of local strategies in the study area include financial constraints (81.2%), technical and logistical issues (63%), poor infrastructural design (83.9%), and environmental challenges (66%). A Chi square test showed that the implemented local strategies were significantly related to the community livelihood at P=0.001. Implemented local flood strategies resulted to a positive relationship to the agricultural productivity and protected community property at P&lt;0.05. Overall, effective flood management strategies are able to reduce risks and contribute to a better community health with fewer disruptions to community’s daily life at P&lt;0.05. Local communities should adopt and implement the use of the mentioned local strategies like re-channeling of water pathways along the hill sides and use of gabions for flash floods mitigation since they cost effective. There should be a country-wide implementation of community-initiated mitigation measures for abating flash floods and related climate change disruptions aimed at building and promoting community resilience and livelihoods of people living in flood prone areas.

Intoxicação por &lt;i&gt;Palicourea marcgravii&lt;/i&gt; em bovinos no Brasil

Palicourea marcgravii is considered the most important toxic plant that causes sudden death in cattle in Brazil, due to its extensive national distribution, high toxicity, good palatability and cumulative effect, being responsible for deaths and economic losses in Brazilian livestock every year. Its active toxic principle is monofluoroacetic acid which inhibits the Krebs cycle, interrupting the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. There´s not treatment for the poisoning due to its superacute progression, and prevention is based on the construction of fences around forested areas, cutting access to the plants.

Effect of Rural Banditry on Food Security and Poverty Reduction in Nigeria

This research investigates how rural banditry hinders sustainable food security and poverty reductions in Nigeria. The Food and Agricultural Organisation, the International Monetary Fund, the National Bureau of Statistics, the United Nations Development Programme, scholarly journals, and field surveys were the sources from which the data were gathered. Three hundred questionnaires were administered to farmers in six states via Plateau, Nassarawa, Kaduna, Benue, Oyo and Niger, in addition to a focused group discussion with selected farmers in each of the study areas. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings show that unemployment, poverty, poor governance, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient security measures and lack of effective institutional coordination, create a network of individuals who support or engage in banditry; farmers experienced disruptions in farming activities, psychological distresses and loss of livestock. Among the socio-economic impacts of banditry include: loss of income and economic opportunities, displacement and migration of the rural population, reduced productivity and infrastructural degradation. These led to food shortages, hikes in food prices, malnutrition and increased poverty level in Nigeria. This study emphasizes the urgent need by the federal and state governments to tackle the problems of unemployment and poverty; develop infrastructure; increase security expenditure; and implement targeted rural development policies. These solutions will curb rural banditry, ensure food security and reduce poverty in Nigeria. Keywords: Rural Banditry, food security, poverty reduction, food production, development policies, farmers.

Effects of human–wildlife conflict on local people's livelihoods and wildlife conservation in and around Alitash National Park, northwest Ethiopia

Human–wildlife conflict has become one of the fundamental aspects of wildlife management. It threatens both wildlife and human welfare. People have injured, abused, and killed wildlife in response to perceived and/or actual damage from wildlife. Such negative interactions are common in adjacent protected areas (PAs) where people and wildlife share the same resources. However, the local contexts of the conflict around the most newly established PAs remain unaddressed. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of human–wildlife conflict on local people's livelihoods and wildlife conservation in and around Alitash National Park, Ethiopia. The data were collected by interviewing 198 households from 11 villages and conducting 3 focus group discussions and 12 key informant interviews. The survey questions were designed to understand the occurrence of wildlife damage, species involved, losses incurred, and local people's perception and reaction. The results revealed that 59.6% of the surveyed households encountered at least a single type of wildlife‐caused damage. Crop damage was the most prevalent, encountered by more than half (54%) of the households, of which 34.4 and 19.6% lost at most 25 and 75% of their crop fields, respectively. Common warthog, African porcupines, and common baboon were the top‐ranked wildlife species involved in crop‐raiding. The livestock loss from 2016 to 2020 was 287.89 tropical livestock units, which were shared by 47.5% of the respondents. Human attacks were rare, although 18 attacks by lion, spotted hyena, and leopard were reported by the study participants. The responses of the victims were negative and full of resentment to the wildlife. This undermines conservation efforts and the socio‐economic welfare of the local people. Thus, providing alternative livelihood opportunities and creating a context‐based conservation scheme along with continuous conservation education would help to reduce the negative effect of human–wildlife conflict on both wildlife and people.

Determinants of livelihood vulnerability to climate change among the agrarian community: Empirical evidence from the coastal region of Indian Sundarban Biosphere Reserve

The impacts of climate change on the livelihood of agrarian households on the coast of the Indian Sundaraban Biosphere Reserve have not been addressed. Thus, it is important to identify the underlying factors for livelihood vulnerability in this region and know how climate change-related events and socio-economic conditions affect them. This work aimed to measure six major domains of livelihood vulnerability, such as overall livelihood loss, livestock loss, crop and crop area loss, fishing area loss, housing loss, and income loss. I selected the ordered probit regression and focus group discussion approaches. Results revealed that the significant determinant factors of livelihood vulnerability were early warning system, education, land holding size, social group, type of house, occupation, distance to the local market and health centre, membership of self-help group, agreement with summer temperature increased, cyclone increased, flood increased, drought in Kharif season increased. In this region, several agrarian households have taken some adaptation measures such as changing crop varieties, crop diversification, converting agriculture to fishery, and saline tolerant varieties. This approach is adaptable and can be put into practice on different levels, not just in other parts of India but also in diverse developing countries.

A systematic literature review on the impact of climate change on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in South Africa

Smallholder farmers in South Africa are increasingly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, posing significant threats to their livelihoods and food security. This systematic literature review investigates the several impacts of climate change on smallholder farmers across the country. The literature review used a systematic approach to search for relevant research across three academic databases such as Google scholar, Consensus, and Zendy. Based on the inclusion criteria for the literature review, 261 articles were initially screened, and 35 articles were included in the systematic review. This process helped to identify the most relevant and high-quality studies on the topic. The data extracted from the 35 articles were analyzed and synthesized to identify the impact of climate change on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. This helped to identify commonalities and differences across the literature, and to draw conclusions about the impact of climate change on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. The study identified and examined the specific challenges faced by smallholder farmers, including the loss of livestock, reduced crop yields and heightened economic hardship. Additionally, the review explores the coping strategies employed by farmers to mitigate these challenges and adapt to the evolving climatic conditions. The findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions and support mechanisms aimed at enhancing the resilience of smallholder farmers and ensuring the long-term sustainability of agricultural practices amidst the challenges posed by climate change. Furthermore, the study provides valuable recommendations for policymakers, agriculturalists, and other stakeholders to address the identified issues and support smallholder farmers in adapting to climate change.

Resilience to drought and climate change disasters and its determinants in the heterogeneous pastoral Ethiopia

Disastrous livestock losses have been documented over long periods in pastoral Ethiopia, and this challenge has remained unresolved. Nevertheless, this issue has received less attention than it deserves. This study estimated resilience of households to drought and climate change using survey data collected from 2756 households in the four pastoral regions of Ethiopia. A two-step approach, along with factor analysis, was followed to estimate resilience by household categories, intervention groups, and regions. Following this, tobit model was estimated to identify factors influencing resilience. The results indicated, (1) the average resilience estimated for treated and untreated groups range from 0.32 to 0.90 and from 0.32 to 0.55, respectively. (2) The components of income and food-access, public services, social safety net, and liquid and non-liquid assets boosted the estimated resilience. To those components, daily per-capita income and expenditure, food-insecurity, health-post, mobility, time-efficient food-aid, livestock-size and diversity, and irrigated land contributed most. (3) The estimated tobit model indicated months of drought, whether households produce or purchase grain for consumption, among others, significantly influenced resilience. To improve resilience, the study advises diversified income, school-feeding, market access, water points, and timely food-aid. Over time, transformative investments in road and irrigation, augmented by technology and training for forage and crop production require attention.

Using EPIWATCH® open-source surveillance to describe the epidemiology of lumpy skin disease outbreaks in South and Southeast Asia (2022-2023).

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) poses a significant threat to animal welfare and leads to economic losses in affected countries. LSD outbreaks may also impact trade and regional relationships. South and Southeast Asia, with its dense livestock population and intricate trade networks, are susceptible to LSD outbreaks. Indonesia confirmed its first LSD cases in March 2022, leading to substantial livestock losses by August 2023. Australia, an important player in the global beef industry, faced trade disruptions due to LSD concerns raised by Indonesia and Malaysia, claims that were refuted by Australian authorities. The dispute highlights the need for good surveillance. EPIWATCH®, employing artificial intelligence, provides real-time outbreak signals, and spatial analysis can identify LSD hotspots, leading to timely interventions. This study uses data collected by the EPIWATCH® open-source disease surveillance system at the University of New South Wales in 2022 and 2023 and compares it for timeliness and completeness with data available on the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS). We found more timely reports of LSD outbreaks in EPIWATCH® compared to WAHIS. In conclusion, open-source surveillance tools like EPIWATCH® can provide timely alerts of disease emergence, such as LSD outbreaks in South and Southeast Asia, which can supplement formal reporting systems.

Willingness to Pay for Cattle Insurance in Nepal: A Double-Hurdle Model Perspective

Since the adoption of the Crop and Livestock Insurance Directives in 2013, the adoption of livestock insurance has gained popularity in Nepal. In the eight years since implementation, adoption rates have remained low, even with 80% government premium subsidies. This study uses a double-hurdle model for quantitative analysis and focuses on the determinants of willingness to pay (WTP) for cattle insurance. The research identifies significant factors influencing insurance adoption decision, including positive impacts from farmer’s age, education, livestock loss history, awareness of insurance, dairy farm income, number of cattle, and loan access. However, male gender, extensive cattle rearing experience, and larger households negatively affect willingness to insure. A number of factors affect premium determination, including age, size of household, livestock loss, off-farm income, number of cattle, and loan accessibility; on the other hand, factors that have a negative impact on premium levels include breed type, marital status, and revenue from dairy farms. According to the findings, the annual WTP for cattle insurance among dairy farmers varies from $48 to $71 (NRs. 6315-9341), with an average of $58 (NRs. 7631). Interestingly, the majority of farmers demonstrate their commitment to risk management by accepting premiums equal to 5% of the value of the cattle. The research contributes to understanding livestock insurance premiums in developing countries, specifically in Nepal, and suggests a scope for extending insurance programs, while also noting a gap in awareness among dairy farmers regarding government subsidy programs.

Socio-economic Impact of Reducing Water Availability of Springs in Kandi Village, Devprayag, Uttarakhand: A People Perception Approach

Water is necessary for sustainable development, which includes safeguarding the environment and the reduction in hunger and poverty. Demand is rising quickly, which is posing issues for many countries due to population growth and economic expansion. The goal of the current study is to examine the state of spring and water resources in Kandi Village, Devprayag, Uttarakhand, India, and how they affect farmers’ agricultural productivity from a socioeconomic standpoint. The key data used in the study were gathered from farmers using questionnaires. Using a stratified random sampling technique, a sample of 100 farmers was chosen for the data collection. The conclusion of the study is that there is currently very little spring, and ground water available. It has been discovered that spring is sparse to fulfil the need of annual irrigation requirements for economic purposes like farming. Lack of springs resulted in a reduction in the amount of land used for farming, a decrease in farmer revenue, livestock losses, etc. According to the findings, some ways to lessen the strain on the water resources available to farmers include building new dams, rejuvenating springs, teaching them how to use highly efficient irrigation systems, and educating them about modern production techniques.

Prevention capacity significantly reduced the livestock exposure to snow hazards across the Qinghai Plateau

Livestock snow disaster is one of the most serious natural disasters in pastoral areas during cold seasons, leading to substantial livestock losses over the past few decades. Accurate assessment of livestock exposure is crucial for reducing the risk of livestock snow disaster, while much less is known about the livestock exposure due to the lack of available gridded livestock density data with long time series. In this study, the gridded density datasets of large livestock, sheep and total livestock at a spatial resolution of 1 km across the Qinghai Plateau (QP) during 1983–2018 were generated by developing livestock density models and disaggregating livestock census data. Then, the spatiotemporal patterns of livestock exposure to snow hazards in the QP were explored and the relative contributions of influencing factors (snow hazard, livestock density and prevention capacity) were quantified. There was a significant negative trend (p < 0.10) of −1.16 × 106 standard sheep units (SSUs) decade−1 in annual total livestock number and −4.67 × 107 SSUs-day decade−1 (p < 0.05) in annual total livestock exposure across the QP from 1983 to 2018. Spatially, snow hazard, livestock density and prevention capacity dominated the total livestock exposure changes in 38.11 %, 22.70 % and 34.95 % of pastoral areas, respectively. However, the reduction in total livestock exposure across the QP was primarily contributed by prevention capacity (56.13 %). This study provides a comprehensive understanding and scientific decision-making basis for livestock snow disaster mitigation and risk management, contributing to the high-quality development of pastoral areas.

Retrospective Review of Congenital Anomaly Cases in Ruminants

This study was designed to provide data on the incidence rates of congenital anomalies and their distribution by organs and systems in calves, lambs and kids brought to Van Yuzuncu Yil University, Surgery Clinic between 2017-2023. The animal material of the study consisted of 1104 ruminants, including 886 calves, 183 lambs and 35 kids, aged 0-6 months. In addition to clinical examination, anomalies were diagnosed by using direct and indirect radiographic examinations when necessary. In some cases, a definitive diagnosis was made by performing experimental laparotomy based on clinical and radiological examinations. 341 out of 1104 ruminants, including 234 calves, 96 lambs and 11 kids, suffered from congenital anomalies. Of the ruminants with congenital anomalies, 208 (61.00%) were male, 132 (38.70%) female and 1 (0.30%) hermaphrodite. Abdominal wall anomalies were determined with the highest number of 112 (32.9%) cases. These were followed by musculoskeletal system anomalies in 83 (24.4%) cases and gastrointestinal system anomalies in 56 (16.5%) cases. Head region anomalies occurred in 41 cases (12.1%), urinary system anomalies in 23 cases (6.8%) and CNS anomalies in 9 cases (2.6%). Multiple anomalies were recorded in 16 (4.7%) cases. In conclusion, congenital anomalies are frequently seen as pathologies in ruminants in our country, especially in our region. Avoiding inbreeding, making artificial insemination widespread, improving the care and nutrition of the dam during pregnancy, correcting adverse environmental conditions and eliminating stress factors, avoiding over-the-counter medication misuse during pregnancy and most importantly informing field veterinarians and animal owners about the subject will contribute to the prevention of congenital malformations and losses in livestock.

Temporal Dynamics of Plasma Catecholamines, Metabolic and Immune Markers, and the Corticosterone:DHEA Ratio in Farmed Crocodiles before and after an Acute Stressor.

Commercial crocodilian farms face significant economic and livestock losses attributed to stress, which may be linked to their adopted husbandry practices. The development of appropriate and modernized husbandry guidelines, particularly those focused on stress mitigation, is impeded by the limited understanding of the crocodilian stress response. Fifteen grower Nile crocodiles were subjected to simulated acute transport stress, with blood samples collected at various intervals post-stress. Plasma levels of corticosterone (CORT), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), adrenaline, and noradrenaline were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. Glucose and lactate were measured using portable meters and the heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (HLR) was determined via differential leucocyte counts. Significant differences were elicited after the stressor, with acute fluctuations observed in the fast-acting catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline) when compared to the baseline. Downstream effects of these catecholamines and CORT appear to be associated with a persistent increase in plasma glucose and HLR. Lactate also showed acute fluctuations over time but returned to the baseline by the final measurement. DHEA, which is used in a ratio with CORT, showed fluctuations over time with an inverted release pattern to the catecholamines. The study highlights the temporal dynamics of physiological markers under acute stress, contributing to our understanding of crocodilian stress and potentially informing improved farming practices for conservation and sustainable management.

Assessing forest villagers’ livelihood vulnerability to the environmental changes in Buxa Tiger Reserve of sub-Himalayan India

The Himalayan forest communities historically lived in harmony with their environment; however, anthropogenic activities have disrupted this balance. Deforestation, climate change, and habitat degradation have heightened vulnerability, compounded by human-wildlife conflicts (HWCs) and limited access to crucial livelihood capitals. Addressing these challenges requires a deeper understanding of factors associated with household-level vulnerability, prompting this study in the Buxa Tiger Reserve of sub-Himalayan India. Data from 345 households across ten villages reveal significant exposure to HWCs, particularly elephant crop raiding and leopard-induced livestock losses. Sensitivity arises from water scarcity, health issues, food shortages, and inadequate housing conditions, while limited adaptive capacity stems from infrastructural and financial constraints, among others. Spatial disparities emerge, with tribal households exhibiting lower exposure but lesser adaptive capacity compared to non-tribal communities. Proximity to different facilities (e.g., markets, financial institutions, primary healthcare centers) and government schemes significantly influence vulnerability, revealing unexpected associations. Besides, villagers’ willingness to relocate demonstrates higher adaptive capacity and perceived benefits outside the reserve. By unraveling the layers of vulnerability at the household level, this study provides valuable guidance for policymakers, forest managers, and other stakeholders. It offers insights into sustainable development strategies, resonating globally to harmonize human actions with environmental conservation.

The influence of conservation policies and legislations on communities in Tanzania

Benefit-sharing mechanisms have been instrumental in securing the support of local communities living on the edge of protected areas, and in resolving human-wildlife conflicts. Understanding how current conservation policies influence benefit-sharing and the management of human-wildlife conflicts is vital for designing strong mechanisms to achieve both conservation and ethical community outcomes. Here we examined how benefit-sharing and human-wildlife conflicts are acknowledged and addressed within the current conservation policies (wildlife policies, legislations, regulations and strategic plans) using the Greater Serengeti Ecosystem (GSE) as a case study. The fourteen policies focusing primarily on wildlife conservation in Tanzania are analysed. We also drew on the findings of three studies conducted during 2021 and 2022 documenting community interactions with wildlife and adjacent protected areas. These studies covered the types of benefit provided by various conservation institutions to local communities, the effectiveness of benefit-sharing mechanisms, and the conservation-related losses incurred by communities. The study uncovered a wide range of benefits provided to local communities in the form of social amenities, livelihood support and employment. However, the losses and costs experienced are far greater than these benefits. Integrating these findings with policy analysis, we identified that the main limitations reducing the impacts of benefits in motivating positive conservation behaviours to be: losses of livestock and crops were more than four times the value of benefits/compensation offered to communities; a lack of details and clarity of benefit-sharing mechanisms; benefit/conservation rates that have not been indexed against inflation and; shortcomings in implementation. To achieve conservation outcomes, we recommend revising the conservation policies and legislation across the country in collaboration with local communities who experience the impacts of conservation in their day-to-day life. We also propose a coordinated approach for all conservation institutions managing wildlife to address widespread human-wildlife conflicts across the country effectively and to achieve better conservation outcomes rather than leaving that task to a single organization (i.e. Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority).

Disulfiram inhibits coronaviral main protease by conjugating to its substrate entry site

Coronaviruses (CoV) are highly pathogenic single-strand RNA viruses. CoV infections cause fatal respiratory symptoms and lung injuries in humans and significant economic losses in livestock. Since the SARS-2 outbreak in 2019, the highly conserved main protease (Mpro), also termed 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro), has been considered an attractive drug target for treating CoV infections. Mpro mediates the proteolytic cleavage of eleven sites in viral polypeptides necessary for virus replication. Here, we report that disulfiram, an FDA-approved drug for alcoholic treatment, exhibits a broad-spectrum inhibitory effect on CoV Mpros. Analytical ultracentrifugation and circular dichroism analyses indicated that disulfiram treatment blocks the dimeric formation of SARS and PEDV Mpros and decreases the thermostability of SARS, SARS-2, and PEDV Mpros, whereas it facilitates the dimerization and stability of MERS Mpro. Furthermore, mass spectrometry and structural alignment revealed that disulfiram targets the Cys44 residue of Mpros, which is located at the substrate entrance and close to the catalytic His41. In addition, molecular docking analysis suggests that disulfiram conjugation interferes with substrate entry to the catalytic center. In agreement, mutation of Cys44 modulates the disulfiram sensitivity of CoV Mpros. Our study suggests a broad-spectrum inhibitory function of disulfiram against CoV Mpros.