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In an effort to learn about and protect large carnivore
species including lions and hyenas, seen in the park’s
new Edge of Africa animal attraction, Busch Gardens
is supporting a field research project being conducted
in the Laikipia region of Kenya. Supervised by Laurence
Frank, Ph.D., of the University of California Berkeley,
the study’s objective is to analyze large carnivore
ecology in two distinct environments: in areas of intensive
traditional livestock herding by native farmers and
on private ranches where livestock is commercially raised.
Funding provided by Busch Gardens is dedicated to a
revolutionary satellite telemetry system involving the
use of collars worn by the carnivores, making them traceable
via satellite. This technique provides researchers with
data on movement patterns more quickly and practical
methods of analyzing variables such as social interaction,
predatory habits and population shifts.
A secondary phase of the study will assist herders and
ranchers of the Laikipia region in developing new husbandry
techniques as well as ways to protect livestock herds,
thereby reducing the hunting of large predatory carnivores.
Despite their dominant characteristics within the structure
of an ecosystem, large carnivores are quite vulnerable
since their prevalence around livestock often exposes
them to hunting. Large carnivores are also essential
in the development of ecotourism programs because of
their popularity among humans while their presence contributes
to the health of their ecosystems by affecting vegetation
patterns and ensuring the order of the food chain.
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Dr.
Lawrence Frank, University of California, Berkeley |
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Laikipia
Carnivore Conservation Research, Kenya, Africa |
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Conservation
study of lions and spotted hyenas involving capture
and radio collaring of both species to collect data
to be used in formulating management plans to conserve
carnivores in livestock producing ecosystems in
East Africa |
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BGT
supports |
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