Predators

Predators are an important part of a healthy ecosystem. By controlling the size of prey populations, predators help slow down the spread of disease. Predators catch healthy prey when they can, but catching sick or injured animals helps in natural selection and the establishment of healthier prey populations as the fittest animals are left to survive and reproduce. Predators such as the wolves from the Yellowstone were essential for all other life to function together and grow. The presence of the wolves decreased the deer population which in turn allowed more vegetation and forests to grow back and prosper, which ultimately lead to more diversity and stabilized the rivers. Maasailand Preservation Trust (MPT) is an example of one predator compensation programme working in response to the threat of local lion extinction in African plains. It not only aims to prevent lion extinction but also provides coverage for other persecuted species, such as hyena, cheetah, leopard, wild dog and jackal. In areas such as Maasailand these animals are under threat from livestock owners who see them as a danger to their livestock and kill them in trade for livestock losses. From this project, within a decade people who were once killing these predators by the hundreds are now working to protect them and reduce the killing of lions.