Efficiency of Innovations in Mitigating Livestock Depredation in the Wildlife Dispersal Areas of Maasai Mara National Reserve-Kenya

Abstract

Wildlife conservation and local communities suffer significantly from livestock depredation on a socio-economic level.  Local communities frequently kill or harm predators as a result of actual or perceived dangers to livestock. This study assessed the effectiveness of solar flashlights, predator-proof kraals, and “eye” Mark painting innovation in mitigating livestock depredation in wildlife dispersal areas. Data was collected through questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions, interviews, day-to-day monitoring and secondary sources for one year. All 342 respondents interviewed through the questionnaire survey experienced livestock depredation.  The study recorded a total of 144 livestock attack incidents involving 294 killings and 52 Injuries. Of the 144 livestock depredation cases recorded in the year under investigation, only 2.3% (4) cases occurred under Solar Flashlight Kraals, Predator Proof Kraals and “Eye” marks Painting innovations. The total number of livestock killed under the innovations was 3% (n=9), while only 2% (n=1) were injured. The distribution of livestock killed showed a significant difference across the three innovation types (χ2=8.667, df=2, p=0.0131), while for the livestock injured in the innovations, there was no significant difference (χ2=2.000, df=2, p=0.3679). In conclusion, the three innovative techniques were equally efficient in protecting livestock against predator attacks and injuries.