TITLE:
Socio-Economic Impacts of Hyena Predation on Livestock around Lake Nakuru National Park and Soysambu Conservancy, Kenya
AUTHORS:
Christine Chepngeno Koskey, Dickson L. Makanji, Christine E. Wilkinson, George W. Eshiamwata
KEYWORDS:
Human Hyena Conflict, Predation, Mortalities
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.9 No.9,
September
17,
2021
ABSTRACT: Human-wildlife conflicts (HWCs) may arise when expanding human populations
and activities overlap or compete for space and resources with wildlife. They
may also be due to growing wildlife populations that encroach on human settlements or other areas of human
development. Forms of human-wildlife conflict include livestock
predation, harassment, property damage, habitat loss due to human activities, and interpersonal conflict over wildlife
issues resulting in injuries or mortalities. The spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) is
among animals involved in livestock predation for
many reasons thus leading to conflicts with livestock owners. This study
focused on the causes of human-hyena conflict and the socio-economic impacts of
hyena predation on livestock. The study adopted a survey research design. Data
were collected using an interview schedule and key informant meetings,
targeting different segments of the community. Purposive sampling was employed
in data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential
statistics. The results showed that poor park fencing is the major cause of
human hyena conflict with a representation of 40% (125 respondents). Despite
the fact that LNNP is fenced, community
members still raise complaints about porosity. On the other hand, 60% of
Soysambu Conservancy is not fenced, potentially giving hyenas freedom to move
from the conservancy to the community. The total estimated cost that is lost to
hyena predation in this region as per the responses received in the surveys is
approximately $74,740 USD annually. A total of 1020 shoats were either wounded
or killed. Our results suggest that one potential solution is to completely
fence both protected areas and maintain the fences to reduce if not halt human-hyena conflicts and perceptions of
hyenas as a conflict-prone species.