Carnivores of the African Plains

This four-week course will focus on the behavioral ecology and conservation of large carnivores in Africa using northern Tanzania as a case study. SFS Center for wildlife management studies in Tanzania is an ideal location to explore the ecological and human dimensions of large carnivore conservation. The center is located between the Ngorongoro-Serengeti (NSE) and Tarangire-Manyara (TME) ecosystems in northern Tanzania. Both ecosystems have largely intact carnivore guilds that occur within and outside the protected areas. Large carnivores are one of the main attractions in the vibrant photographic tourism industry. In addition, large carnivores attract high premiums among the trophy hunters in the area. Despite the high economic values, carnivores in northern Tanzania are under immense threats from human-related effects such as habitat loss, and conflicts with pastoralists. To address these challenges, large carnivores have attracted high interest among conservationists, researchers, and scientists in northern Tanzania. African wild dogs, African lions, spotted hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards have received high attention due to their charismatic appeal and the manifold threats facing them. Among those species, lions, and leopards are among the big five and are highly sought after by trophy hunters. To address the conservation threats and better understand the ecology of these large carnivore species in northern Tanzania, several conservation and research projects have been initiated. These include the Tarangire Lion Research Project in Tarangire/Manyara National Parks and the surrounding areas, the Kope Lion Project in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and species-specific projects in Serengeti National Park focusing on the lion, cheetah, spotted hyena, and African wild dog.