Assessment and mitigation of human-lion conflict in west and central Africa

Published source details Bauer H., de-Iongh H. & Sogbohossou E. (2010) Assessment and mitigation of human-lion conflict in west and central Africa. Mammalia, 74, 363–367.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Exclude wild mammals using ditches, moats, walls or other barricades to reduce human-wildlife conflict Action Link

Exclude wild mammals using ditches, moats, walls or other barricades to reduce human-wildlife conflict

A replicated, before-and-after study in 2004–2006 at a national park in Cameroon and a national park in Benin (Bauer et al. 2010) found that when livestock enclosures were reinforced, fewer livestock were predated. In Cameroon, no cattle or pigs were predated from reinforced enclosures compared to six cattle predated (by lions Panthera leo) and 20 pigs predated (three by lions, 17 by hyenas Crocuta crocuta) from non-reinforced enclosures. In Benin, four cattle were predated (by lions) and 16 pigs (2 by lions, 14 by hyenas) from reinforced enclosures compared to 13 cattle predated (12 by lions, one by hyenas) and 53 pigs (28 by lions, 25 by hyenas) before reinforcements were added. In Cameroon, 75% of pastoralists across six villages in a national park buffer zone upgraded livestock enclosures. Enclosures comprised a thick layer of thorny shrubs and/or earth walls, with a safe gate (wood, or a complete tree Acacia seyal crown as a ‘gate-plug’). Their performance was compared with that of non-reinforced enclosures over an unspecified period. In Benin, 13 enclosures were improved in 10 villages around a national park. The improved enclosures comprised sundried clay bricks covered with a clay/cement mixture (‘banco’), similar to local houses. Livestock predation figures before (2004) and after (2005–2006) improvements were collated.

(Summarised by: Nick Littlewood)