Livestock Depredations and Prevention Strategies to Foster Human‐Carnivore Coexistence in Western Mongolia's High Mountain Systems

ABSTRACT

The decline of large carnivores and the overabundance of livestock practices contribute significantly to ecosystem degradation. Large carnivores, through livestock depredations, can cause substantial economic damage leading to resentment among herders and retaliatory killings. Understanding herders' attitudes toward large carnivores and implementing effective non‐lethal prevention measures is thus crucial to enhancing human‐carnivore coexistence. Through structured interviews, we assessed attitudes of 58 herders toward the gray wolf Canis lupus and the snow leopard ( Panthera uncia ) in the Bayan‐Ölgii province, Mongolia, where livestock practices form the mainstay of livelihood for local communities. Furthermore, we characterized carnivore depredations and tested the use of Foxlights as carnivore deterrents at night. To achieve this goal, 20 herders were randomly selected as ‘treatment’ groups while 18 as ‘control’ groups. Herders' attitudes toward carnivores were explored using a Bayesian cumulative logit mixed‐effects model, while the effectiveness of Foxlights was assessed using Bayesian generalized linear mixed‐effects models, as well as a Bayesian generalized linear model. Our findings revealed that attitudes toward the wolf were entirely negative, while those toward the snow leopard were more positive. In terms of livestock losses, sheep and goats were the most affected by both snow leopards and wolves. However, in relation to availability, yaks and horses were the preferred prey. When comparing ‘treatment’ and ‘control’ groups, the use of Foxlights was associated with an approximately 30% reduction in night‐time depredation events on sheep and goats, that is, n  = 11 in ‘treatment’ groups versus n  = 31 in ‘control’ groups. To reduce the magnitude of human‐carnivore conflict it is crucial to encourage collaboration among various institutions and stakeholder groups. Additionally, implementing non‐lethal prevention measures alongside efficient husbandry practices should be encouraged.