In autumn of 2024, a determined PhD student and fervent conservationist from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the United States, Gabriela Fleury, embarked on an ambitious project in the Ghanzi District of Botswana to deploy 66 trial cameras alongside light deterrent “Foxlights”. Foxlights are a flashing light system that has shown great promise in deterring small carnivores away from farmers and their livestock in both South Africa and Namibia, however, they remain under-tested in southern Africa. This is where Gabi’s project co-designed with CCB seeks to fill the gap.
The project goal is to assess the presence and movement of small carnivores, such as jackals and caracals, around small stock enclosures (kraals) and road features at cattle posts in New Xade, while evaluating the effectiveness of flashing light deterrents and the influence of site characteristics and vegetation composition on their efficacy.
Why does this matter? Since the organization's founding, one of the main focuses of our conservationist work has been in developing creative solutions to assist local farmers in overcoming the difficulties presented by all types of carnivores, particularly those that pose a threat to their livestock, which for some is their main and only source of income. Using these non-lethal deterrents to lessen human-animal conflict has long been the main emphasis of CCB’s work based on our understanding of the difficult balance needing to be struck between safeguarding wildlife and community livelihoods.
The project goal is to assess the presence and movement of small carnivores, such as jackals and caracals, around small stock enclosures (kraals) and road features at cattle posts in New Xade, while evaluating the effectiveness of flashing light deterrents and the influence of site characteristics and vegetation composition on their efficacy.
Why does this matter? Since the organization's founding, one of the main focuses of our conservationist work has been in developing creative solutions to assist local farmers in overcoming the difficulties presented by all types of carnivores, particularly those that pose a threat to their livestock, which for some is their main and only source of income. Using these non-lethal deterrents to lessen human-animal conflict has long been the main emphasis of CCB’s work based on our understanding of the difficult balance needing to be struck between safeguarding wildlife and community livelihoods.
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For another part of her project, Gabi is also testing the effectiveness of livestock guarding donkeys in reducing livestock losses on a commercial farm in Ghanzi. Anecdotally, guard donkeys are said to be effective in keeping carnivores away from vulnerable young calves, but they have never been tested before in the area. By employing a formal experimental design over two field seasons, Gabi will also evaluate the effectiveness of this locally accessible strategy in order to make recommendations for both farmers and conservation practitioners in the District.
This initiative's advantages extend beyond safeguarding New Xade's farmers and livestock. The installation of Foxlights and the employment of trained domesticated animals further enhance the conservation and maintenance of small predators in the area, which helps stabilize the ecological balance within the region by minimizing the need for harsh control measures. Additionally, these solutions are affordable, giving farmers even more leverage by offering realistic and practical options.
This initiative's advantages extend beyond safeguarding New Xade's farmers and livestock. The installation of Foxlights and the employment of trained domesticated animals further enhance the conservation and maintenance of small predators in the area, which helps stabilize the ecological balance within the region by minimizing the need for harsh control measures. Additionally, these solutions are affordable, giving farmers even more leverage by offering realistic and practical options.
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