The influence of the Makgadikgadi fence and the re-flowing of the Boteti River on the temporal distribution of human/lion conflict

Abstract

Incidents of conflict between humans and lions are influenced by a number of factors, some of which are barriers such as fences and rivers. Conflict between carnivores and farmers led the Botswana government to construct a fence along the Boteti River between the years 2004 and 2005 to separate wildlife inside the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park (MPNP) from farmers.  Although the fence became porous over time, the reflowing of the Boteti River in 2009 provided a further barrier. The main objective of this study was to assess the influence of the fence and the reflowing of the Boteti River on the temporal distribution of lion predation upon livestock along the Boteti River region. We also determined the level of livestock predation by lions when compared to other carnivores. In order to answer our questions, Problem Animal Control (PAC) reports for the years 2000–2012 from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) were studied. These data were subdivided into three time periods: Before Fence (BF) - when the fence was not yet constructed; After Fence (AF) - when the fence was erected but the river was not flowing; and River Flowing (RF) - when the fence was porous but the river was flowing. We found that lions were responsible for the majority of the reported incidents on livestock predation.  There were fewer reported kills during AF period than during the other two periods, and that large livestock was the most affected. The erection of an electrified fence was found to be a more effective method of reducing the numbers of livestock animals killed by lions than the barrier created by the river flowing. We concluded that the continuous maintenance of the fence is necessary to ensure that it forms an effective barrier between livestock and predators.