Adaptive Management Frameworks for Large Carnivore Conservation in Jos-Bukuru Region, Plateau State

Large carnivore conservation in human-dominated landscapes presents complex adaptive management challenges, requiring ongoing adjustment of strategies in response to changing ecological and social conditions. The Jos-Bukuru metropolitan region and surrounding farmlands in Plateau State, within Nigeria's North Central geopolitical zone, have historically supported spotted hyenas and leopards, with recent community reports suggesting their persistence in fringe areas. This study develops an adaptive management framework for large carnivore conservation in the Jos-Bukuru region, drawing on ecological data from camera trap networks, livestock loss records, and community knowledge surveys. Camera traps deployed at 18 sites over nine months detected five large carnivore species, including spotted hyena, leopard, and honey badger, with hotspots concentrated in rocky escarpment zones on the urban fringe. Livestock predation incidents were documented in 42 percent of farming households adjacent to carnivore hotspots, with economic losses averaging N35,000 per affected household annually. Community tolerance for carnivores is positively correlated with access to compensation programs and negatively correlated with severity of livestock losses. The proposed adaptive management framework incorporates iterative monitoring cycles, decision triggers linked to conflict frequency thresholds, and feedback mechanisms for community input. Implementation of the framework is recommended through the Plateau State Ministry of Environment in partnership with conservation NGOs active in the region. Keywords: large carnivores, adaptive management, Plateau State, North Central Nigeria, human-carnivore conflict