Human - Wildlife Interactions
Social media posts and other media outlets often portray wildlife in our communities as dangerous and problematic, attempting to sensationalize situations instead of outlining potential solutions. It is within our capacity to live in harmony with the natural world. Providing appropriate space for migrating birds, insects, and other forms of wildlife does require community planning. With foresight and resources, we can address the ever-increasing incidents of human-wildlife interactions. Let’s be inspired by those communities who choose co-habitation with wildlife instead of the destruction of it.
Maasai of East Africa
For instance, pastoralists in Kenya have co-existed with wildlife for thousands of years, even when their ecosystem includes iconic predators such as lions and leopards. The typical fenced-in corrals that the Maasai pastoralists use to protect their livestock at night are open-air enclosures called bomas. They are made with brambles and acacia tree branches intertwined to create thick barriers, utilizing the natural resources available to the community.
Savvy as they are, predators occasionally penetrate the bomas at night. Even one kill from a family’s herd creates catastrophic financial hardship. A problem. If a Maasai community, that lives in conjunction with the seasons, over-hunts the surrounding predator populations, their entire ecosystem would be changed forever. An environment tied to the Maasai’s identity. Yet how can these farmers protect their livelihoods?
A group of researchers and Kenyans decided to work with some Maasai pastoralists and find new techniques to protect livestock at-risk from wild predator attacks. After discussions with the Maasai, the researchers recommended reinforcing the bomas with wire fencing material. The Maasai agreed to try the new plan with the researchers. This is a relatively low-tech solution but wire is an unaffordable resource for these small-landholders. The materials would need to be donated for this project-study. The intent was to enhance livestock protection, not to replace the Maasai’s traditional pastoral systems. The reinforced bomas worked, they protected more livestock overnight than the non-reinforced bomas. An idea that was introduced in a culturally appropriate manner, then implemented as a team, has made a large impact.
This project highlights the power of collaboration. Researchers worked with the Maasai community, listening to their stories of real-life experiences with predators. A solution was proposed and accepted by the community. The researchers fully communicated with the farmers throughout the study cycle, ensuring the acceptance of the trial. This low-tech project has led to measurable improvements. It also demonstrates how people from different cultures can successfully work together.
If communities can agree to sustain nature and wildlife, then we can develop reliable solutions together. The key is for all people to become interested and involved.
Our relationship with the natural world has become more intertwined because of human population growth, agricultural expansion, infrastructure development, and climate change. This is not an ethnic or culturally specific situation. Nature involves us all. Humanity is obligated to work together as we decide how we will allow the natural world to thrive. This obligation is actually our opportunity to share ideas, stories, and dreams with our neighbors on both a local and global scale.
Personal Photographs of the Maasai community we visited in Amboseli Kenya (08/2012)
Duke University, a variety of tourism-based businesses, and National Geographic’s Big Cat Initiative were involved with this project. The Anne K. Taylor Fund is accepting donations as they work with other Kenyan farmers to fortify boma construction, protecting both cattle and wildlife.
References:
Ryan, K., Fitts, W., et al. (2009) Tracking East Africa cattle herders from prehistory to the present. Penn Museum Expedition Magazine, online. Vol. 51/No. 3. https://www.penn.museum/sites/expedition/tracking-east-african-cattle-herders-from-prehistory-to-the-present/#:~:text=9000%20BP.,is%20concentrating%20on%20that%20area.
Sutton, A.E., Downey, M.G., et al. (2017). Boma fortification is cost-effective at reducing predation of livestock in a high-predation zone in the Western Mara region, Kenya. Conservation Evidence. 14. https://scholars.duke.edu/publication/1271573
With foresight and resources, we can address the ever-increasing incidents of human-wildlife interactions. Fortunately, there are inspirational stories of communities who choose co-habitation with wildlife instead of the destruction of it.