Livestock predation in the Bale Mountains, Ethiopia

Livestock predation by wild carnivores in the Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia, results in significant economic losses for pastoral communities. Over three years, 704 livestock were killed, equating to an annual loss of 12 USD per household and representing 1.4% of the local livestock population. Spotted hyaenas were the primary predators (57%), followed by leopards (18%), common jackals (16%), and servals (9%). While hyaenas targeted all livestock types, other carnivores primarily preyed on goats and sheep. The study highlights the role of dogs in alerting pastoralists to hyaena presence but notes that this practice poses a disease transmission risk to the endangered Ethiopian wolf. The findings underscore the need for alternative livestock protection methods to mitigate losses and reduce threats to wildlife.

Atickem, A., Williams, S., Bekele, A., & Thirgood, S. (2010). Livestock predation in the Bale Mountains, Ethiopia. African Journal of Ecology, 48(4), 1076–1082. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2028.2010.01214.x