Publication: Efficacy of Bomas (Kraals) in Mitigating Livestock Depredation in Maasai Mara Conservancies, Kenya
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2023-03
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Rufford Foundation
Publisher
MDPI
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Abstract
Livestock depredation is a major conservation challenge globally, causing significant
economic losses to pastoralists and threatening large carnivore species outside protected areas. Our
study investigated the temporal and spatial distribution of livestock depredation incidences, carnivore
species associated with livestock depredation, and assessed mitigation measures in Maasai Mara
Conservancies in Southern Kenya. Using daily monitoring of livestock depredation cases, we made
comparisons between livestock attacks occurring in predator-proof bomas and those with traditional
kraals. A total of 305 livestock depredation incidents were recorded between January and December
2021, translating to a total tally of 1411 livestock maimed or killed. Most livestock depredation
incidents occurred during the day (59%) as opposed to night (41%), but this difference was not
significant. Livestock depredation incidents in the nighttime occurred mostly inside traditional kraals
(34%) and occurred the least in predator-proof kraals (2%). Lions were responsible for more livestock
attacks in the grazing fields compared with leopards, hyenas, and wild dogs. Hyenas were more
daring and attacked livestock inside traditional bomas relative to lions and leopards. Our study
concludes that predator-proof bomas are more effective in minimizing livestock depredation and
can be embraced as a sound intervention for human–carnivore co-existence in communities’ wildlife
conservation areas.
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Keywords
livestock depredation, bomas/kraals, conservancies, human–carnivore conflict, human–wildlife conflict, Egerton University