Shepherding is not a shot in the dark: evidence of low predation losses from the Northern Cape province of South Africa

Predation threatens the viability of livestock farming, while lethal predator management can negatively influence wildlife ecology. There is renewed interest in non-lethal vs lethal methods of livestock protection, but a systematic comparison is lacking. Using multivariate models, we explored how predator management (shepherd, no shepherd), land tenure, flock characteristics, and environmental factors drive losses of small livestock across the Northern Cape, South Africa. Black-backed jackal and caracal were the dominant livestock predators in both management groups. Predation of small livestock was five-fold lower in the shepherd (1.29% +/- 0.38) compared to the non-shepherd group (6.09% +/- 0.51; p < 0.0001), with a seven-fold lower-level of lamb predation (1.67% +/- 0.51 vs. 11.52% +/- 0.99; p < 0.0001). Predator management, livestock type, and flock size (but not land tenure or environmental factors) were predictor variables in a best-fit linear mixed effects model describing small livestock losses (p < 0.0001). We interpret our findings with caution because we could not control for predator and prey abundances, and the non-herder group could have inflated their predation estimates. While the efficacy of shepherding requires more research, we suggest that it is a viable predation management approach in South Africa and beyond.

Automated summary

Predation poses a threat to livestock farming and lethal predator management may have negative impacts on wildlife ecology. Non-lethal methods of livestock protection are gaining interest, but a systematic comparison is lacking. In this study, we found that the presence of shepherds significantly reduced predation of small livestock compared to areas without shepherds. Our findings suggest that shepherding is a viable approach for managing predation not only in South Africa but also in other regions.