Community attitudes and social correlates of African lion (Panthera leo) anthropogenic mortalities in the Maasai Steppe, Northern Tanzania

Knowledge of local attitudes toward lion conservation and identification of drivers of human conflicts with lions can help inform mitigation measures aimed at promoting the coexistence of humans and lions. We assessed attitudes of local communities toward lions and lion conservation in the Maasai steppe ecosystem of northern Tanzania with the aim of documenting anthropogenic factors driving human-related lion mortalities. Purposively, five villages were surveyed including three from core zones or hotspot areas where people kill lions, and two from control zones where lions are not killed. Attitudes in the zone where people kill lions (lion killing) were more negatively associated with lions and lion conservation than communities in the control zones. Fear for livestock, family, and personal safety were the strongest variables explaining negative attitudes toward lions and lion conservation. To promote coexistence between humans and lions, conservation authorities should invest more on awareness and sensitization programs on conservation of lions. published by the Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences | JBES