correct identification of livestock loss. why conserve predators??? predators are indicator species,...

CORRECT IDENTIFICATION OF CORRECT IDENTIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK LOSSLIVESTOCK LOSS

WHY CONSERVE PREDATORS???

• Predators are indicator species,

demonstrating the health of an ecosystem

• Control numbers and health of prey species

• Valuable national resource to be protected

• Generate income through ecotourism and trophy hunting

• TheftTheft• Poisonous plantsPoisonous plants• Disease Disease • PredatorPredator

CORRECT CAUSE MUST BE CORRECT CAUSE MUST BE INVESTIGATEDINVESTIGATED

WHAT DO WE NEED TO KNOW???

Predator Identification ToolPredator Identification Tool

Hind Front

Hind Front

LION

LEOPARD

PREDATORS Behaviour and Capabilities

Social, living in prides of up to 16 individualsTerritorialMales larger than femalesFemales do most of the huntingGroups are capable of bringing down buffalo-sized preyIndividual lions are capable of bringing down wildebeest-sized prey

SolitaryTerritorialMales larger than femalesStocky, muscular and a stealthy ambush hunterFavours trees and is an excellent climberCapable of bringing down wildebeest-sized prey

PREDATOR IDENTIFICATION TOOLSPREDATOR IDENTIFICATION TOOLS

INVESTIGATIONINVESTIGATION

Killed or scavengedKilled or scavenged Bite marksBite marks TracksTracks Carcass location / dragged?Carcass location / dragged?

APPROACHING A CARCASSAPPROACHING A CARCASS

Scan whole areaScan whole area Keep onlookers in a group to one Keep onlookers in a group to one

sideside Examine all tracksExamine all tracks Mark site of tracksMark site of tracks Front and back track sizes can differFront and back track sizes can differ Record all informationRecord all information

Killed or scavenged?Killed or scavenged? Skin the neck Skin the neck Look for bruisingLook for bruising

and bite marksand bite marks

Big or small carcass / predatorBig or small carcass / predator

Bite marksBite marks

MeasurementsMeasurements

Cheetah 36 - 39 mm (2 fingers)Cheetah 36 - 39 mm (2 fingers) Leopard 40 – 46 mm (3 fingers)Leopard 40 – 46 mm (3 fingers) Jackal 19 - 21 cm (3/4 - 1 finger)Jackal 19 - 21 cm (3/4 - 1 finger) Caracal 29 - 32 mm (1 ½ finger)Caracal 29 - 32 mm (1 ½ finger) Spotted Hyena 47 - 58 mm (3 fingers)Spotted Hyena 47 - 58 mm (3 fingers) Brown Hyena 47 – 58 mm (3 fingers)Brown Hyena 47 – 58 mm (3 fingers) Domestic dog 36 - 58 mm (3 fingers)Domestic dog 36 - 58 mm (3 fingers)

Bite marks on the carcassBite marks on the carcassWidth, locationWidth, location

TRACKSTRACKS

Dogs = nailsDogs = nails Dogs = straight Dogs = straight

at the back of at the back of the foot padthe foot pad

Cats = no nailsCats = no nailsCats = W shape at Cats = W shape at the back of the foot the back of the foot padpad

Dog Dog CatCat

Cheetah / LeopardCheetah / Leopard

CheetahCheetah Leopard

HOW THE CARCASS HAS BEEN HOW THE CARCASS HAS BEEN EATENEATEN

Long bonesLong bones IntestinesIntestines Internal organsInternal organs RemainsRemains Covered / draggedCovered / dragged

Will chase down and bite prey Will chase down and bite prey animal as it runs.animal as it runs.May result in messy kill with May result in messy kill with numerous bite marks all over numerous bite marks all over the body.the body.No claw marks. No claw marks.

Usually ambush then Usually ambush then chase prey.chase prey.Very clean killers, most Very clean killers, most will deliver a killing bite will deliver a killing bite to the throat or back of to the throat or back of the neck. Claw marks the neck. Claw marks will be evident.will be evident.

Dogs Dogs CatsCats

LionLion

LionLion

Lion home ranges can be anywhere between 150 and 2000 Km2

They are social, territorial animals and females often hunt together. A group of lions is capable of killing prey as large as cow or buffalo and a single lion can take down a wildebeest sized prey.

They are mainly active at night and may take animals out in the veld and from poor kraals.

They may eat the whole animal but the large bones will remain.

150 Km2

2000 Km2CCB farm

LeopardLeopard

LeopardLeopard

Leopard home ranges are often between 30 and 80 Km2

CCB farm80 Km2

30 Km2

They are solitary, territorial animals that hunt alone. They are excellent climbers and often hide their kills in trees. Leopards are capable of killing prey as large as wildebeest but rarely take fully grown cattle.

They are usually nocturnal and will take unprotected livestock from poor kraals and out in the veld.

Cheetah Cheetah

CheetahCheetah

Cheetah home ranges can be as small as 200 Km2 and as large as 1500 Km2

Female cheetah are often solitary but males may live in small groups. They may hunt together or alone. Cheetah are poor climbers and prefer open habitats. They usually take small to medium sized antelope species.

There are most active during the morning and evening and usually involved in conflict out in the veld. They are not active at night. They generally kill by strangulation on the throat.

CCB farm

200 Km2

1500 Km2

African Wild DogAfrican Wild Dog

African Wild DogAfrican Wild Dog

Except when denning, African Wild Dogs are effectively nomadic some recorded ranges have been between 420 and 1300 Km2

Wild dogs are social and live in packs. They hunt together and are capable of killing kudu sized prey. They can be a concern to farmers as can take fully grown cattle, however, they can be deterred by human presence

They are most active during the morning and the evening and more likely to cause conflict out in the veld than in the kraal.

CCB farm

420 Km2

1300 Km2

Brown hyenaBrown hyena

Brown HyenaBrown Hyena

Brown Hyena ranges have been recorded from approx. to over 900 Km2

Brown hyena are most often solitary but males sometimes form small groups or clans. They are primarily scavengers but are capable of killing small antelope sized prey. They are active at night and may take very young livestock from poorly built kraals.

CCB farm

900 Km2

170 Km2

Spotted hyenaSpotted hyena

Spotted HyenaSpotted Hyena

Spotted Hyena ranges are also variable ranges of 40 to 1100 Km2 have been recorded

Spotted hyena live in large groups called clans. They are scavengers and hunters capable of killing zebra sized prey.They are active at night and may take livestock from poorly built kraals. They are hunt similar to dog species and often only large bones will remain.

CCB farm

1100 Km2

40 Km2

JackalJackal

JackalJackal

Jackal territories can be small and are approximately 10 to 100 Km2 in area.

Jackal are social and often live in mated pairs, they are scavengers and hunters capable of killing small antelope sized prey. They usually hunt during the morning and evening and can take young livestock.

CCB farm

10 Km2

100 Km2

Domestic dogDomestic dog

Domestic DogDomestic Dog

Dog ranges can be very small if they are near a reliable food source but feral dogs can range over 100 Km2 in area.

Dogs are social and if feral live in packs, they are scavengers and hunters capable of killing domestic livestock. They are often not effective killers and may injure a number of livestock without killing them. They can be active during the day and night.

CCB farm

3 Km2

100 Km2

CaracalCaracal

Less common conflict animalsLess common conflict animals

ServalServal

African wild catAfrican wild cat

Non - conflict animalsNon - conflict animals

Aardwolf

Bat eared foxBat eared fox

AardvarkAardvark

Honey BadgerHoney Badger

IN SUMMARYIN SUMMARY

Be informedBe informed

Know your predatorsKnow your predators Know your other animalsKnow your other animals Strive to keep improving Strive to keep improving your livestock managementyour livestock management Participate in community efforts to find Participate in community efforts to find

solutions to human/wildlife conflictsolutions to human/wildlife conflict

THREE SOLUTIONS TO THREE SOLUTIONS TO LIVESTOCK LOSSESLIVESTOCK LOSSES

MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT

MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT

MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT

YOU ARE THE MANAGER…

YOU ARE THE SOLUTION