Original Research

Conservation management of large carnivores in Africa

M.G.L. Mills
Koedoe | Vol 34, No 1 | a417 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/koedoe.v34i1.417 | © 1991 M.G.L. Mills | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 23 September 1991 | Published: 23 September 1991

About the author(s)

M.G.L. Mills, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Full Text:

PDF (4MB)

Abstract

The conservation management of large carnivores in Africa is reviewed. In large protected areas the complexity of the relations between predators and prey, and between competing predators, indicate that these relationships should not be disturbed, even though, superficially, there may seem to be sound reasons to do so. Management action, however, may have to be taken against carnivores that break out of reserves. The related questions of translocation and re-introduction are also complex. Guidelines for considering whether to and how to implement these strategies are presented. It is stressed that adequate follow-up observations should be made after translocating or re- introducing carnivores, so that more information on the success of these strategies can be obtained. Much of Africa comprises rural areas inhabited by pastoralists. It may be possible to manage some large carnivore species in these areas to the mutual benefit of man and beast, but for this type of program to be successful, a well planned public relations campaign is essential.

Keywords

conservation, management, carnivores, predator-prey relations, competition, translocation, re-introduction, rural areas, public relations.

Metrics

Total abstract views: 8118
Total article views: 5703

 

Crossref Citations

1. Do spotted hyaenas outcompete the big cats in a small, enclosed system in South Africa?
J. Comley, C. J. Joubert, N. Mgqatsa, D. M. Parker
Journal of Zoology  vol: 311  issue: 2  first page: 145  year: 2020  
doi: 10.1111/jzo.12772