Livestock depredation by wild carnivores in the highlands of Wolaita zone, southern Ethiopia

Context Livestock depredation is a major medium- and large-carnivore conservation challenge around the globe, causing substantial economic loss to small-scale agricultural communities in Wolaita Highlands, southern Ethiopia, often leading retaliatory killing. In livestock rates are increasing because of conversion wild habitats into grazing lands. Various studies have examined interactions between humans carnivores time space prey preference with regard type. Aim This study aimed assess by large time, space, season losses farmers highlands Wolaita, Ethiopia. Methods total, 384 herders who heads households were interviewed an information-theoretic approach was used analyse factors influencing self-reported spotted hyena, leopards jackal. Key results The associated leopard jackal amounted average US$33.3 per herder year. We found that hyena had for sheep, goat donkey; sheep; poultry. depredations three mainly during night-time more severe dry season. Conclusion number owned household, night-time, availability preferences type strongest influence on losses. Implications To mitigate carnivore conflicts we make recommendations should be trained equipped order build better wild-carnivore management strategies scale up their mitigating strategies.