Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The aim of this study is to find out if, and in what way the Maasai pastoralists affect the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) through Bomas (Maasai settlement) and keeping of livestock. The study was carried out in the Maasai Mara National Reserve and the adjoining group ranch, Koyake GR, in South-western Kenya.

Data was assembled through transect driving, with instantaneous scan sample during two seasons, December 2003 and May-June 2004. Study area contained 12 bomas with three different type of transects each: T1 (0.5 km from boma), T2 (3 km from boma) and T3 (5.5 km from boma), to create a gradual decline in human and livestock impact. Results show that there are differences in the hyena's utilisation of transect type during the day and during the night. The spotted hyena tend to avoid transects close to the boma during the day time, but go there during the night time. This could be an indication of impact from human activity. As previous studies demonstrate, hyenas tend to avoid pastoralists on foot with livestock. Results found here indicate that hyenas also avoid Maasai settlements during day time. The conflict between and impact of Maasai pastoralists, may not be large at the moment, since the behaviour plasticity of the hyena reduces this impact through adaptations. But change is on its way, pastoralism and group ranch system is gradually being replaced by private owned land and cultivation. Due to these changes in utilisation of the land that have occurred after gathering of the data it would be very interesting to conduct the same study again, to see if the impact has increased.