A study conducted in Botswana has found a simple and effective way to protect cattle from lion attacks: painting eyes on their rear ends. The research, published in the journal Communications Biology in 2020, showed that cattle with painted eyes were significantly less likely to be attacked by lions compared to unpainted cattle.
The idea is based on the concept of 'eyes on the back of the head,' which exploits lions' fear of being seen. By painting eyes on the hindquarters of cattle, farmers can create the illusion that the animals are watching the predators, deterring them from attacking. The study, led by Neil Jordan of the University of New South Wales, involved 62 herds in the Okavango Delta region.
Over a four-year period, the researchers found that 15 out of 835 cattle with painted eyes were killed by lions, compared to 15 out of 835 unpainted cattle. However, the painted eyes were only effective when the cattle were in small herds (fewer than 10 animals). In larger herds, the effect was not significant.
This low-cost, non-lethal method offers a promising solution for farmers who often face significant losses from predators. It could help reduce human-wildlife conflict and promote coexistence between communities and lions in Africa.
