Journal article
A culture of tolerance: coexisting with large carnivores in the Kafa Highlands, Ethiopia
- Abstract:
- We assessed losses of livestock to lions Panthera leo and leopards Panthera pardus in the Adiyo and Gimbo districts in Kafa Biosphere Reserve, Ethiopia. We quantified the economic impact, conducted household and group interviews, and explored potential solutions with local people. During 2009–2013 there were 350 and 62 attacks by lions and leopards, respectively. Households that suffered attacks on their livestock lost a mean of USD 287 and USD 310 in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Although lion attacks are more frequent than leopard attacks, our qualitative data indicate that tolerance for the former is higher because lions are more respected in the local culture. We describe how depredation is culturally mitigated and how retaliatory killing is avoided. Given people's tolerance towards them, carnivores may persist in their highland refugium, opening an arena for conservation that is not strictly linked to protected areas or to classical economics.
- Publication status:
- Published
- Peer review status:
- Peer reviewed
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- Files:
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(Preview, Accepted manuscript, pdf, 514.5KB, Terms of use)
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- Publisher copy:
- 10.1017/S0030605316001356
Authors
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
- Journal:
- Oryx More from this journal
- Volume:
- 52
- Issue:
- 4
- Pages:
- 751-760
- Publication date:
- 2017-03-20
- Acceptance date:
- 2016-11-03
- DOI:
- EISSN:
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1365-3008
- ISSN:
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0030-6053
Terms of use
- Copyright holder:
- Fauna and Flora International
- Copyright date:
- 2017
- Notes:
- Copyright © Fauna and Flora International 2017. This is the accepted manuscript version of the article. The final version is available online from Cambridge University Press at: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605316001356
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