The U.S. Fish & Wildlife does not just list domestic American species as endangered or threatened, but because of various monitoring functions in international trade, also species in other countries. In listing the African lion subspecies, Panthera leo leo, as threatened, the following passage caught my eye as perhaps of interest regarding herding dogs in Africa (79 Fed. Reg. 64484, October 29). I have removed the scientific citations for ease of reading. Traditional livestock husbandry practices are effective at reducing depredation of livestock by lions. These practices include livestock being closely herded by men and dogs during the day and being brought into bomas at night with people living in huts around them. However, these traditional practices are being replaced by less diligent husbandry practices, which are increasing conflict. In Botswana, livestock are often left to wander outside bomas at night. In Kenya and Tanzania, social changes are altering traditional Maasai pastoral livelihoods, reducing dependency on livestock, and reducing traditional livestock care and management, leaving livestock more vulnerable to predation. Young Maasai boys traditionally guarded herds at night; however, increased access to schools has left herds unattended to wander into predator areas at night. There was also some discussion of transmission patterns of canine distemper virus (79 Fed. Reg. 66486): “Epidemics of canine distemper virus (CDV) are known to have occurred in the Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem, an area that encompasses the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and Maasai Mara National Reserve. CDV is a common pathogen in the large population of domestic dogs around the Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem, which are believed to be the source of CDV. CDV is assumed to be transferred to lions by the sharing of food sources with spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) or jackals (Canis spp.) that become infected by consuming the infected carcasses of domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris). Lions may also transmit CDV among themselves via sharing food, fights, and mating.” The depiction of a boma appeared in a French magazine in 1892 or 1893.
Posted on: Wed, 29 Oct 2014 10:57:42 +0000
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