Effects of an open refuse pit on space use patterns of spotted hyenas

摘要: Although the use of anthropogenic food sources by carnivores is well documented, few studies have investigated potential for these sites to influence movements livestock predators. We capitalized on a natural experiment in which refuse pit, utilized group intensively monitored spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, was closed midway through monitoring efforts. compared hyena space patterns before and after closure, while controlling other variables, investigate pit home range size, core area size location, proximity dens itself. also prey abundance social ranks individual variation frequency utilization. found increase decrease following closure. Space clearly influenced as included site only it operation, were closer than its The most common rank observed feeding at low-ranking females, regular users more likely be near during times relative scarcity. discuss human pastoral villages losses hyenas. Resume Bien que la consommation de produits alimentaires d’origine humaine par les soit bien documentee, peu d’etudes se sont interessees possibilite qu’ont d’influencer deplacements des predateurs du betail. Nous avons tire parti d’une experience naturelle ou un trou ordures utilise groupe d’hyenes tachetees suivi pres dans Reserve Nationale Mara, au fut ferme beau milieu nos efforts monitoring. compare schemas d’utilisation l’espace hyenes avant et apres fermeture, tout en comparant d’autres pour connaitre l’influence sur taille domaine vital, l’emplacement sa zone centrale proximite avec terriers le lui-meme. aussi etudie l’abondance proies rang variations frequence trou. decouvert vital augmentait celle diminuait suite fermeture L’utilisation etait clairement influencee etant donne n’a inclus tant qu’il ete ouvert trouvaient plus qu’apres. La partie l’on observait souvent train nourrir compose femelles inferieur, utilisateurs reguliers etaient susceptibles trouver lors periodes relativement rares. discutons fait est possible dechets gens pastoraux augmentent pertes betail causees hyenes.