Human-wildlife conflict and coexistence of black-backed jackal (lupulella mesomelas) and African wild dog (lycaon pictus) in the Okakarara district communal area, Namibia.
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Date
2023-05
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Namibia University of Science and Technology
Abstract
Human-wildlife conflict is a global phenomenon that occurs wherever humans and wildlife share
resources or space. In Namibia, human-wildlife conflict is most severe in communal regions where
farmers have fewer financial means to implement mitigation measures against livestock
depredation. This study used camera trap data, diet analysis, and questionnaire data to explore
distribution, livestock depredation, and coexistence of black-backed jackal (Lupulella mesomelas)
and African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), the highest conflict-causing species in the understudied
Okakarara District Communal Area (ODCA). A camera trap survey was conducted in 2018-2019 for 30
days in the dry season and 30 days in the wet season. Black-backed jackal and African wild dog scat
was collected both opportunistically and systematically for diet analysis. Using scat locations and
questionnaire data, a kernel density of African wild dog - livestock conflict was mapped to determine
if African wild dog dens occurred significantly more in regions of high livestock depredation. Black backed jackal abundance was significantly higher in the dry season in areas of high village density
and within 10km of African wild dog dens. Diet analysis revealed that black-backed jackal in the
ODCA have a generalist omnivorous diet consisting primarily of ungulates by biomass (74.36%). They
preferentially consume greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), which contributes 19.83% to their
diet by biomass. Livestock species made up 29.74% of the biomass in their diet. Black-backed jackal
diet did not differ within vs. more than 10km from known African wild dog dens, suggesting that
African wild dog function as neither a competitor nor facilitator for black-backed jackal, and both
canids select habitat based on concealment and avoidance of persecution. African wild dog dens
occurred significantly more in areas of higher African wild dog-livestock conflict, but further research
is needed to confirm this preliminary finding. Due to a recent decline in population, African wild dog
may be functionally absent from the ODCA, and without top-down pressure from an apex predator,
black-backed jackal have experienced mesopredator release. Conservation priorities for the ODCA
should focus on capacity building to increase populations of wild prey, implement low-cost predator
mitigation solutions, and reduce mesocarnivore dominance by restoring large carnivore populations.
Description
Thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the
degree of Master of Natural Resources Management at the Namibia
University of Science and Technology.
Keywords
Human-Wildlife conflict, Black-Backed Jackal, African wild dog, Okakarara-district Namibia
Citation
Reasoner, E. (2023). Human-wildlife conflict and coexistence of black-backed jackal (lupulella mesomelas) and African wild dog (lycaon pictus) in the Okakarara district communal area, Namibia [Unpublished Masters Thesis]. Namibia University of Science and Technology.