Whiteboard Presentations at Modisa (Mike and Zoi)

We are currently at Modisa Conservation Project and this afternoon we had two student whiteboard presentations related to human-wildlife conflict in Botswana. Mike presented on the different perceptions of lions from farmers, villagers, and tourism employees near the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. The study observed that interviewees generally believed that lion populations benefited the country of Botswana as a whole, but did not necessarily benefit themselves or their communities.

Zoi presented next on trends related to lion and leopard predation on livestock. The study looked at animal predation reports from communities of varying distance from Central Kalahari Game Reserve, with higher lion predation closer to the park but no significant relationship between leopard predation and distance to the park. As the government provides compensation for livestock killed by predators, this data serves as a useful tool for assessing human-wildlife conflict in the country.

Mike presenting to the group on lion-livestock conflict in Botswana.

Zoi presenting on the livestock predation patterns of lions and leopards, adding to the whiteboard as her presentation went on.