“Who Killed My Goat?”

Background Information: Whether we are talking about grey wolves in Yellowstone or cheetahs in Namibia, human-

wildlife conflict can present real challenges to wildlife conservation efforts. Predators play an

important role in keeping their ecosystem healthy by culling the weaker members of the local

prey populations. This helps keep the prey populations full of healthy individuals and help keep

prey population size in check. As with any predator-prey relationship, however, changes in

habitat, increases in human populations, and prey availability can lead to human-wildlife

conflicts. One area where these conflicts can arise is in the killing and consumption of livestock

by the native predators to a habitat. The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden has a long history of

collaborating with organizations in Africa to help support coexistence in these complex

relationships between livestock farmers and native predators. One of the organizations with

which the Zoo has partnered is the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) in Namibia.

Namibia is home to a quarter of the world’s cheetahs. Their numbers, combined with their

diurnal (awake during the daytime) nature, make them more visible than many of the other

predators native to that region. It is easy to see why, when a livestock animal such as a goat is

killed, the cheetah is often the scapegoat. To help reduce retaliatory killing and increasing

tolerance of wild cheetahs on or near farmers’ lands, the CCF has developed farmer training

programs. These programs are aimed at improving farming practices, explaining the role and

value of predators in the ecosystem, and teaching better livestock protection techniques. These

programs include an activity called “Kill ID” that teaches farmers how, in the event of a livestock

kill, to identify the predator responsible by looking for predator-specific clues on the carcass.

Each predator leaves a “calling card” of sorts in the manner in which they kill and feed on their

prey. These clues are more reliable than tracks/footprints alone as more than one species may

leave tracks while investigating (and/or feeding on) a carcass. This Kill ID training is very

important in helping change a famer’s mindset about the threat of posed by different predators

on their land. It can also help them identify threats to their livestock and inform them about

which techniques would be most effective in protecting them from future predation.

Techniques such as using guard dogs or herders, keeping herds in corrals with thornbush

barriers at night, locating corrals near human activity, as well as other methods (techniques

that are not promoted by CCF are poison collars on livestock, sight and sound repellants, and

shock collars). The most effective techniques may also change during calving season, when

predation on calves (or goat kids) is more likely to occur as calves under three months of age

are most vulnerable to predation. These techniques may include daily monitoring of herds,

synchronizing births, increasing herd density, keeping donkeys, bulls, or additional cows with

horns in with calving females, clearing brush and bush around calving areas to reduce cover for

predators, corralling herds at night (and/or keeping calves in roofed corrals) and keeping them

with a herder during the day, or a combination of these techniques.

Two members of the Education Department led a graduate program in Namibia and got to

witness the success of the Kill ID aspect of the farmer training programs first-hand. When they

returned, they shared the Kill ID program with the rest of the department and we decided to

update our African Predator Prowl overnight program to include this activity we are calling,

“Who Killed My Goat.” That is where NA instructors come in. As of Summer 2016, all African

Predator Prowl overnight groups (4th grade and older) and all Twiga Tented Camp Overnights

(4th grade and older) will get a chance to experience this hands-on, “Who Killed My Goat,”

activity. We hope that it not only enhances their overnight experience, but also helps make

connections between the concepts covered in this program and real-world applications,

building a deeper level of understanding regarding the complexities and challenges that

humans face when it comes to coexistence with predators that may pose a real or perceived

threat to their livelihood.

Please, be kind to the goat models that are part of this activity. Nikki Masucci of the Zoo’s

Graphics Department spent months, painstakingly sculpting, painting, and transforming

springbok taxidermy forms into goat that are works of, albeit gory, art. The end result is a one-

of-a-kind (at least outside of Namibia) educational experience that is sure to be memorable and

impactful for our program participants. Please honor her work with your care of these

important teaching tools.

Doing the Activity

Materials (see pictures at the end of this document): Goat models, attached bags of parts, attached set up example from each goat, laminated predator identification guides on clipboards and washable markers. You will also need a bag and 2 sets of wooden numbers (one set to draw from the bag and one set to mark the goats).

Goal/Focus: Learn how the Goat ID program in Namibia is training farmers in Africa to see what animal might have killed their livestock by stepping into the shoes of the farmer (or CCF employee) who must identify “Who killed my goat?” and choosing the appropriate action to take to prevent future losses.

Description: The “Who killed my goat?” activity is something that the Cheetah Conservation Fund uses in Africa in collaboration with farmers. They re-create real crime scenes and guide the farmers into being able to determine what predator killed their goat. In Africa, many farmers believe that cheetahs are solely responsible for eating their goats, but many times there are other animals responsible. With the proper information, farmers can prevent their livestock from being as preyed upon in the future. For this activity at the zoo, there will be goats that have been “preyed upon” laying all over the yard. This helps resemble what farmers deal with in Africa when their goats have been killed. The goal for the participants is to use the guide and

clues left by the predator to identify who killed their goat and then decide what to do to prevent further loss.

To set up activity: This is something that needs to be done ahead of time by either instructors or the AC. Each goat has a bag of supplies and a picture to help ensure that it is set up properly (see pictures at the end of these instructions). When placing the goats around the Africa exhibit (the backyard or theater can be used in case of a conflicting Group Sales event or inclement weather), make sure all parts are in their proper place. Follow the guide, and make sure to look at all the details as some goats must be placed in trees, under bushes, etc. If you do not follow the guide properly the participants may not be able to identify the correct predator for the goat. Make sure that you are familiar with the animal guide so that you can help lead the participants in the right direction if they get stuck.

Directions on how to play: 1. Bring your group to the Africa exhibit. Split them into smaller groups, with 3-5 people per

group. Hand each group a “Kill ID chart.” Explain how to read the chart (predators are listed on the left and listed next to each predator are the clues they leave on and around the body that tell us who they are. They should match the clues on or around the goat to the chart to identify the predator of each goat. There are also measurements on the side of the guide to help measure bite width.).

2. Once they are clear on their groups and the chart, have each group pick a numbered wood disc from a bag. Each number represents a goat.

3. The groups will have to search around the path to find the goat that is labeled with the number they pulled. The searching aspect resembles what farmers have to deal with on their farms to find their missing goats.

4. Once they have located their goat, they will then use the guide to figure out what predator may have killed their goat. There are measurements on the side of the guide to help direct this process. There are also many indicating clues listed on the guide as well to help direct them.

5. Once they have made a guess using their observations on what animal killed their goat, they should note the number of their goat in the space under the predator’s letter on the left. Then, they should bring their chart back to you to check and see if they are correct.

6. Once they have successfully identified who killed their goat, you may let the group pick another number. This process will continue until you run out of time or goats. The participants can identify as many goats in the time allotted, it all depends on how quickly they move through the activity. Please ensure they don’t inspect the same goat twice.

7. Powwow about the activity with the group afterwards. Have a serious discussion about what these goats represent to their owner. These goats are their livelihood. They are like money in the bank. How would you feel if someone stole money from you? Pick a predated goat and share some of the information about the predator’s natural history from the laminated Predator Profile cards. Ask them who identified this goat and, based on the information we now know about this animal, what would/could they do to prevent future losses (Build a fence? Have a guard dog?)? Use the “Effective Predator Mitigation Techniques” section on the laminated Predator Profile cards to help you to suggest or guide their thought process.

What should happen to the animal that caused the damage (Nothing? Find it and kill it? Report it?)? Do this again with at least one more predated goat (Have the last predator be a domestic dog). Do solutions change? Does one solution fit every situation (i.e. Do some predators dig? What if the predator was YOUR dog?)? These are the same questions that farmers must answer. Through the Farmer Training Program, CCF can help them to prepare to make these decisions if and when a predation incident arises.

Once you are finished: The removal of the goats and the goat pieces from the Africa pathway needs to be very organized to ensure that you put all of the goat accessories back into the proper bag for each goat. Please follow the photo guides attached to each goat bag (and below) to ensure that all pieces are accounted for and with the proper goat. Wipe the wax pencil off the Kill ID charts so they are clean for the next group. Kill ID Chart:

Loose pieces needed for: (see below) Domestic Dog: Intestines, 2 pieces of fur, 2 front legs, 2 back legs

Caracal:1 Bone, 3 pieces of fur, intestines

Jackal: 2 front legs, intestines, 1 bone

Cheetah: Intestines,1 bone, 1 piece of fur, 1 back leg

Leopard: 3 pieces of fur, 1 back leg, intestines

Brown Hyena: 2 pieces of fur, pool of blood, broken bones

Spotted Hyena: Intestine pieces, 2 sets of broken bones, blood stain

Lion: Messy torso chunk (with claw marks), bloodstain

African Wild (Painted) Dog: Messy torso chunk (NO claw marks), bloodstain

Predator Profile Cards: