Project Results

Although eye patterns and gaze modify human behaviour, anti-predator eyespots do not occur naturally in contemporary mammals. Here we show that eyespots painted on cattle rumps were associated with reduced attacks by ambush carnivores (lions and leopards). Cattle painted with eyespots were significantly more likely to survive than were cross-marked and unmarked cattle, despite all treatment groups being similarly exposed to predation risk. While higher survival of eyespot-painted cattle supports the detection hypothesis, increased survival of cross-marked cattle suggests an effect of novel and conspicuous marks more generally. 

About This Project

A major reason that lions are in decline is that many are killed every day in retaliation for eating livestock. As ambush predators, lions rely on stalking and surprise, so being seen by their prey usually means they abandon their hunt. In rural Botswana I will test whether painting intimidating eye patterns onto cows hides reduces livestock losses. If successful, this inexpensive tool will help to safeguard the lives of lions and the livelihoods of subsistence farmers alike.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

Lions are important animals economically and ecologically. They contribute to a lucrative tourism industry, and maintain ecosystem health by regulating prey populations. Unfortunately lions also eat livestock which negatively impacts subsistence farmers living alongside them. Without effective ways to prevent this, many lions are killed in retaliation, and their populations are in decline. While the importance and difficulty of conserving lions is clear, it's less obvious how painting eyes on cows could help, but this innovative idea has a solid basis in animal behavior. Just as eye-patterns on insects deter birds, and wearing a mask on the back of your head can prevent attacks by tigers, perhaps lions can be deterred from attacking livestock by exploiting this psychological phenomenon.

What is the significance of this project?

Most human-carnivore conflicts are managed reactively by removing predators using lethal control or translocation. This not only prevents predators fulfilling their role in the ecosystem, but can also lock farmers into a helpless cycle, as the next lion that inevitably moves into the now vacant area must then also be removed. Importantly, reliance on reactive tools can also impose a psychological burden on farmers, as they are left "waiting" for the next attack. In contrast, the "i-cow" solution takes a preventative approach to facilitate coexistence between livestock and lions. Importantly, it is low cost (annually around 1/5 of the cost of losing a single cow) and requires no specialist tools. This is an unusual but desperately needed combination in carnivore-conflict management.

What are the goals of the project?

This experiment (June 2016-17) tests whether large eye-patterns painted onto cattle prevents predation by lions. Half of a herd in Botswana (~30 cows) will be painted with an eye-pattern on their rump, while half will not. Survival of painted vs. unpainted cows will be recorded during visits to the kraal (overnight predator-proof enclosure). Cows will also be fitted with GPS-loggers to record fine-scale movement, and equivalent data for a resident lion from the pride in the herd's grazing area will be recorded using a satellite GPS-radiocollar. Results will be shared with farmers and more widely through scientific publication(s) and popular press. The ultimate goal is to provide farmers with a cost-effective tool that reduces their need and desire to kill lions.