Assessment Of Livestock Depredation By Spotted Hyena (Crocuta Crocuta) In Villages Surrounding Ruaha National Park

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.