Assessment of livestock depredation by spotted Hyena (crocuta crocuta) in villages surrounding Ruaha national park
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Date
2015
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
The University of Dodoma
Abstract
The study to assess livestock depredation by spotted hyena was conducted in six
villages surrounding Ruaha National Park which were systematically selected along
the gradient of distance from the park. The closest village was Tungamalenga that is
37 km from the park while other villages were: Makifu village (39km), Mapogolo
village (42km), Mahuninga village (49km), kitisi village (50km) and Idodi village
52km. Data collection involved 121 households that were selected through
snowballing techniques using standardized questionnaires. Data analysis was done
by using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 16 for windows.
Descriptive statistics was used to calculate, percentage, means and standard error of
means. Since data was not normally distributed the non parametric test, such as
Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney were used to compare medians of loss of
different livestock due to depredation and diseases of each selected village and
among villages. Livestock depredation by spotted hyena did not correlate with
distance from Ruaha National Park as spotted hyena caused livestock loss to both
closest and distant villages. Disease caused higher livestock loss than depredation.
Majority of the respondents had no pits for waste disposal, this might be the reason
for spotted hyena to visit villages and attack livestock. Also poor night holding boma
to the most visited households was another reason for livestock depredation. Most
livestock attacks occurred during the rainy season and at night. In order to reduce
the level of depredation farmers have to build predator proof night holding bomas
using affordable materials
Description
Dissertation (MSc Biodiversity Conservation)
Keywords
Livestock, Depredation, Hyena, Spotted Hyena, Crocuta crocuta, Villages, Ruaha National Park, Livestock depredation
Citation
Kutika, E. C., (2015). Assessment of livestock depredation by spotted Hyena (crocuta crocuta) in villages surrounding Ruaha national park. Dodoma: The University of Dodoma.