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The Botswana Carnivore Forum is a collaborative group of researchers, conservationists, individuals

22/04/2026

Aerial surveys combined with AI - how does this help conservation?

Get • .ecology.conservation What are aerial surveys? And how can AI help our leopard and lion conservation? 🐆
Dr Nicholas Osner from and Dr Shannon P Finnegan are here to explain how this footage can help us count the herbivores on the ground 🦓🐘🦒 leading to vital information about the populations in the reserve.
A special thank you for our pilot

16/04/2026

Botswana Predator Conservation reveals how territorial behaviour and social dynamics drive the movements of carnivores across the wild.

Hansen, KW. et al (2024) - read the full study here - https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.11217

13/04/2026

Did you know that the coat colour of your livestock plays a part in livestock predation? Head over to to find out why.

Get • Did you know that something as simple as coat colour can influence livestock predation risk for some animals? The joint 2020 research published in the Animals 10(4) journal titled: ‘Lions Panthera leo Prefer Killing Certain Cattle Bos ta**us Types’ found that cattle with black and brown coats were preferred. It is the work of Florian J. Weise, Tomeletso Mathata, Andrew B. Stein, Michael J. Somers, and Matt W. Hayward who collectively represent the University of Pretoria, CLAWS Conservancy, the University of Newcastle in Australia, and the University of Siegen.

The researchers “studied cattle depredation patterns in Botswana's Okavango Delta and tested whether lions exhibited specific preferences based on cattle demographic characteristics (s*x and age), as well as morphological traits (body mass, horn length, and pelage patterns)”. Pure black, white and brown colouring were significantly avoided. “Lions predominantly killed cattle at night (87.1%) and exhibited no preference for either s*x”. You can read the article here: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/4/692.

Among female cattle, being strategic about choosing individuals with strong maternal instincts and traits that make them less vulnerable, such as strength, can build a herd that is better equipped to thrive in spaces where predation is a significant risk. As a farmer, the more you research about your livestock and their various traits, the better equipped you are to make such strategic decisions that affect your herd productivity, and your mental health.

Tune in next week Wednesday as we delve into another method to increase productivity and decrease predation. onwardswegrow

03/03/2026

BioBoundary project in action this World Wildlife Day...

Get • He could have pushed through that gate.

Instead… he turned away.

That’s the BioBoundary in action.

In Botswana, around 80% of 130,000 elephants live close to people. When elephants raid crops or damage infrastructure, it threatens livelihoods, and too often leads to conflict.

We’ve tested plant-based scent deterrents that create an invisible “smell fence” around farms. Out of nine substances trialled, five successfully repelled elephants.

No harm to the elephant. Just nature guiding nature.

This , we’re celebrating solutions that protect both people and wildlife.

Click the link in our bio to learn more about the BioBoundary project.

Huge thanks to our partners and supporters: , , Joni Overbosch and Marius Viljoen, , , and many more for helping make solutions like this possible.

Botswana Predator Conservation is a program of

coexistence

05/02/2026

Scent marking is a powerful but little-understood language of wildlife. 🐾
The Bio-Boundary Project is uncovering how scent can naturally deter predators and protect livestock.

Get • Ever wondered why a jackal would p*e on a leopard’s scent mark…and then why a Cape fox would roll luxuriously in everyone else’s urine?

Scent-marking is by far the most important channel of communication between mammals, but at the same time, it is the least understood.

This moment was captured by a BioBoundary project camera trap, which is monitoring the reactions of predators to odour-based deterrents that will reduce lethal predator control by protecting livestock from predator attacks.

What do you think is being said here? Drop your wildest interpretation below!

The BioBoundary Project is supported by many including CEVA Wildlife Research Fund, Impact Award, , , Joni Overbosch and Marius Viljoen.

Botswana Predator Conservation is a program of

We are in the field, on the ground, getting results!

23/01/2026

You've heard of livestock guarding dogs, but have you ever seen livestock guarding donkeys...

Get • The camera trap footage this week shows a donkey chasing off a pack of African wild dogs on a ranch in northern Botswana, captured in a remarkable series of videos from Botswana Predator Conservation’s BioBoundary project.

Donkeys are sometimes used to guard livestock against predators, and this video demonstrates how effective they can be. Protecting livestock without harming predators is most effective when a variety of complementary methods are combined. Utilising donkeys, dogs, and BioBoundary deterrents integrates both traditional and innovative approaches.

Thanks to CEVA Wildlife Research Fund, the Impact Award, , , Overbosch and Marius Viljoen for supporting the BioBoundary deterrents research.
See how we’re making a difference for predators and communities. Learn more here: www.wildentrust.org/about-bpc

The BioBoundary Project is part of Botswana Predator Conservation, a program of Wild Entrust.

We are in the field, on the ground, getting results!

21/01/2026

🌍 A Major Milestone for Cheetah Conservation in Botswana 🐆

Cheetah Conservation Botswana has officially broken ground on thier new satellite base camp, strategically located 151 km from Ghanzi in a cheetah-rich region of the country. This exciting development marks a significant step forward in strengthening their on-the-ground conservation efforts where they are needed most.

This new base camp will serve as a vital hub for researchers, conservation practitioners, and community education initiatives, enabling closer monitoring of cheetah populations, enhanced data collection, and stronger collaboration with local communities. By being positioned within this key landscape, their teams can respond more effectively to conservation challenges while deepening the understanding of cheetah ecology and human–wildlife coexistence.

Beyond research, the camp will host community outreach and educational camps, fostering awareness, skills development, and long-term stewardship of Botswana’s wildlife. This satellite base represents hope, action, and commitment — ensuring a sustainable future for cheetahs and the ecosystems they depend on.

05/01/2026

Communities Living Among Wildlife Sustainably Conservancy talking al things wildlife conservation on CNN this past weekend.

30/10/2025

What do cheetahs and meerkats have in common...

Get • How do meerkats scan the sun-drenched plains for eagles and jackals without being blinded? Those iconic dark patches around their eyes act as a pair of natural sunglasses! This incredible adaptation reduces glare, allowing them to focus sharply on distant threats and opportunities. The signature 'tear drop' feature on cheetah faces also serves the same purpose.

Much as they may first appear to be aesthetic characteristics, some of the things you admire about wildlife are solutions for survival. Every detail has a purpose.

22/09/2025

Things you may not know about leopards scent markings...

Posted • .ecology.conservation Did you know?
Leopards may be elusive, but they leave behind invisible messages through scent marking. By rubbing, clawing, and spraying urine on “beacons” such as trees, rocks, and pathways, they establish territories and communicate presence. These marks signal ownership, reproductive status, and identity to other leopards in the area.
Recent studies show that leopards strategically place their marks along roads, boundaries, and prominent trees, maximizing the chances that rivals or potential mates will encounter them.
At marking trees, leopards follow a ritual of sniffing, rubbing, and scratching, each behaviour reinforcing their presence in the social landscape. So, even if you don’t see the leopard, the bush is alive with their signals, written not in words, but in scent.

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