The Sero-epidemiology of Coxiella burnetii in Humans and Cattle,Western Kenya: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Study

Evidence suggests that the intracellular bacterial pathogen Coxiella burnetii (which causes Q fever) is widespread, with a near global distribution. While there has been increasing attention to Q fever epidemiology in high-income settings, a recent systematic review highlighted significant gaps in our understanding of the prevalence, spatial distribution and risk factors for Q fever infection across Africa. This research aimed to provide a One Health assessment of Q fever epidemiology in parts of Western and Nyanza Provinces, Western Kenya, in cattle and humans. A cross-sectional survey was conducted: serum samples from 2049 humans and 955 cattle in 416 homesteads were analysed for C. burnetii antibodies. Questionnaires covering demographic, socio-economic and husbandry information were also administered. These data were linked to environmental datasets based on geographical locations (e.g., land cover). Correlation and spatial-cross correlation analyses were applied to assess the potential link between cattle and human seroprevalence. Multilevel regression analysis was used to assess the relationships between a range of socio-economic, demographic and environmental factors and sero-positivity in both humans and animals. The overall sero-prevalence of C. burnetii was 2.5% in humans and 10.5% in cattle, but we found no evidence of correlation between cattle and human seroprevalence either within households, or when incorporating spatial proximity to other households in the survey. Multilevel modelling indicated the importance of several factors for exposure to the organism. Cattle obtained from market (as opposed to those bred in their homestead) and those residing in areas with lower precipitation levels had the highest sero-prevalence. For humans, the youngest age group had the highest odds of seropositivity, variations were observed between ethnic groups, and frequent livestock contact (specifically grazing and dealing with abortion material) was also a risk factor. These results illustrate endemicity of C. burnetii in western Kenya, although prevalence is relatively low. The analysis indicates that while environmental factors may play a role in cattle exposure patterns, human exposure patterns are likely to be driven more strongly by livestock contacts. The implication of livestock markets in cattle exposure risks suggests these may be a suitable target for interventions.     

West African Cattle Farmers’ Perception of Tick-Borne Diseases

Worldwide, cattle production is struggling to face the negative impacts caused by ticks and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is one of the most harmful ticks for livestock. Most of the people in West Africa depend on cattle farming and subsistence agriculture. The presence of ticks on cattle is a major problem faced by smallholder farmers who fight for their livelihood. National and regional tick control programs could assist these rural communities in protecting their livelihoods against ticks and tick-borne diseases, but only if they take into account the targeted herders and their perception on cattle management and tick control. This paper aims to provide a better insight in the socio-economic characteristics of Beninese cattle farmers, and their perception on tick burden, as well as to document common tick control strategies. Different tick species and their seasonality are well understood by cattle herders. For tick control, many still use manual tick removal, especially in the north of the country. The high cost of acaricides, the lack of financial means of African farmers, and of the local stockbreeders in particular, limits the use of acaricides in livestock breeding in Benin. While aiming to increase the meat or milk production of their animals, stockbreeders who can afford it sometimes turn to an abusive use of acaricides, which might in time lead to an increase in tick resistance. This study remains one of the rare studies to report extensively on the perceptions of West African cattle herders.     

Production objectives,trait and breed preferences of farmers keeping N’Dama,Fulani Zebu and crossbred cattle and implications for breeding programs

Many local livestock breeds in developing countries are being replaced by exotic breeds, leading to a loss of genetic resources. In southern Mali, for the past two decades, a trend towards increasing crossbreeding between the trypanotolerant N’Dama cattle and the trypano-susceptible Fulani Zebu cattle has been taking place. A survey with 160 farmers owning a cattle herd was carried out in southern Mali to investigate their production objectives, as well as trait and breed preferences and correlated socio-economic determinants in order to understand farmers’ breeding decisions and to identify comparative advantages of three breed groups (N’Dama, Fulani Zebu and crossbreds) raised in the study area. Data were analyzed using an exploded logit model. The reasons for raising cattle, as well as trait and breed preferences reflected the multiple objectives of the farmers. Draught power and savings were the most important production objectives. Productive traits were ranked highest; farmers reported large body size as the most preferred trait, followed by fertility, draught ability and milk yield. Crossbreds were the favored breed group. Breed preferences were mainly explained by ‘resistance to disease’ for N’Dama cattle and ‘high market price’ for Fulani Zebu and crossbred cattle. Production objectives, trait and breed preferences were mainly influenced by farmer group (local farmers and settled transhumants). Local farmers put comparatively more emphasis on livestock functions linked to crop production such as draught power. They had a higher preference for traction ability as a selection trait and preferred N’Dama over Fulani Zebu cattle. Settled transhumants emphasized milk yield as a selection trait and preferred Fulani Zebu over N’Dama. The results indicate that the trend towards more crossbreeding will continue putting the N’Dama breed under high risk of genetic dilution in southern Mali. The N’Dama cattle remain a valuable breed due to their adaptive traits such as disease and drought tolerance and their good traction ability, fulfilling the diverse objectives of local farmers. Crossbreeding was found to be a promising breeding strategy, which might contribute to the maintenance of the local breed, provided that breeding schemes are thoroughly planned and organized.     

Aetiology of teenage childbearing: reasons for familial effects.

The aims of the present study were to evaluate the contribution of the genetic and environmental factors to the risk of teenage childbearing, and to study whether life style, socio-economic conditions, and personality traits could explain possible familial effects. We linked two population-based registers: the Swedish Twin Register and the Swedish Medical Birth Register. The study covers female twin pairs born between 1953 and 1958, having their first infant before the age of 30 years (n = 1885). In order to separate familial effects from other environmental influences, and genetic effects from shared environmental effects, only complete twin pairs with known zygosity were included, in all 260 monozygotic and 370 dizygotic twin pairs. We used quantitative genetic analyses to evaluate the importance of genetic and environmental effects for liability to teenage childbearing. Logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the effects of life style, socio-economic situation, and personality on the probability of teenage childbearing, and to study whether psychosocial factors could explain possible familial effects. Fifty-nine percent (0-76%) of the variance in being a teenage mother was attributable to heritable factors; 0% (0-49%) was due to shared environmental factors; and 41% (23-67%) was explained by non-shared environmental factors. Thus, the data were consistent with the hypothesis that the familial aggregation of teenage childbearing is completely explained by genetic factors, although the alternative hypothesis that familial aggregation is entirely explained by shared environmental factors cannot be ruled out. Significant effects of smoking habits, housing conditions, and educational level were found in relation to liability to teenage childbearing. However, the familial effects on risk of teenage childbearing were not mediated through similarities in life style and socio-economic factors. When studying risk factors for teenage childbearing, it is recommended to include life style and socio-economic variables as well as information about family history of teenage childbearing. Twin Research (2000) 3, 23-27.     

Comparative epidemiology and control of trypanosomes

Tsetse-transmitted trypanosomiasis in man and domestic livestock is a major constraint to livestock and socio-economic development in Africa. Analysis of the limited number of databases on matching animal health and productivity available for cattle in tsetse-infested areas of Africa has provided new information about the value of current methods of controlling the disease. It was established that the trypanotolerant breeds of cattle, namely N'Dama and West African Shorthorn, were much more productive than originally believed, despite their small stature, and, as a result, could be considered for livestock development programmes in tsetse-infested regions. Moreover, in areas of low tsetse challenge, it was shown that the strategic use of therapeutic trypanocidal drugs allowed the maintenance of high levels of productivity in dairy cattle and demonstrated genotype and acquired differences in treatment requirements. On the other hand, the use of a prophylactic drug regime allowed beef cattle to be reared to an economically acceptable level of productivity in an area where tsetse challenge was high that animals rapidly succumbed if left untreated. These results show that the current methods available for the control of animal African trypanosomiasis can be effective if properly applied.     

Environmental determinants of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycobacterium bovis</Emphasis> concomitant infection in cattle and badgers in France

Landscape epidemiology analyses how environmental characteristics influence pathogen transmission between hosts of one or several species, by inducing constraints on space use by hosts, and/or on pathogen survival in the environment. Here, we analysed how environmental variables could be associated with the Mycobacterium bovis concomitant infection in both cattle and badgers, in an area of south-western France. We defined circular spatial units (500 and 1000 m radiuses) centred on 113 setts of trapped badgers and including cattle pastures. The characteristics of spatial units where only one species had been found infected were compared with the ones where both cattle and badgers had been found infected. A multivariate logistic model was used to analyse the association between concomitant infection in both species and three groups of variables describing landscape, animal population and terrain features of spatial units. The terrain ruggedness index of pastures and the percentage of sand in their soil were positively associated with the odds of concomitant infection in cattle and badgers in the spatial units. The number of neighbouring badger groups was negatively associated with the odds of concomitant infection (spatial units of 1000 m radius), whereas the number of crop parcels was positively associated with the odds of concomitant infection (spatial units of 500 m radius). These results suggest that terrain features, badger population structure and food availability may influence the spread of M. bovis infection between badgers and cattle, leading to concomitant infection of both species.     

甘南牧区草畜平衡优化方案与管理决策

利用Matlab 7.9软件的多目标规划方法,以甘南牧区2008年及以前的草地畜牧业动态监测资料和社会经济发展调查统计数据为基础,以维持草畜平衡、优化畜群结构和保护草地生态环境为总目标,综合考虑牧区畜群结构优化、牧业生产目标、草畜动态平衡、区域社会经济收益状况和生态环境保护5个方面的约束条件,研究了规划期(2009-2011年)甘南牧区草地畜牧业发展的优化方案及管理对策,对比分析了减畜和增畜2种优化方案在畜群结构、牲畜总增率、净增率、商品率、出栏率、农牧民纯收益等方面的数量变化特征,提出甘南牧区草畜平衡优化方案及管理决策。研究结果表明,减畜优化方案是实现上述目标的根本途径。具体措施包括:1)适度调整牲畜数量,改良品种,优化畜群结构;2)调整农作物播种面积及结构,增加人工草地种植面积,提高补饲水平;3)稳定天然林草地面积,维护牧区生态环境; 4)增强畜牧业生产效益,提高出栏率;5)严格控制人口数量,加强国家政策调控机制。     

社会经济代谢研究:内涵、发现和展望

社会经济代谢是指由于人类活动导致的物质和能量在社会经济系统内部和边界上的迁移和转换。社会经济代谢研究已经成为产业生态学的核心领域。本文结合典型案例介绍了社会经济代谢研究的内涵和基本步骤,总结了社会经济代谢研究的主要发现:提供了追踪物质在社会经济系统的来源、去向和流动路径的方法与模型;揭示了物质材料及其社会经济代谢过程对现代化生产和生活方式的支撑作用;阐明了人类活动驱动与物质代谢相关的生态环境问题的机制;提供了评估资源利用效率、资源供需趋势和城市矿产开发潜力的模型与基础数据。最后指出了社会经济代谢研究的发展方向:增加研究对象并深化对每种对象的研究精度;拓展或细化研究系统的时空边界;引入并融合新的数据来源和研究方法;将社会经济代谢中的物质流对接到与其相关的生态环境影响;建立可共享、可拓展、可累积的数据平台。     

“三生空间”视角下三峡库区土地利用转型的生态系统服务价值效应

明晰社会经济快速转型背景下的“三生空间”演变过程及其生态系统服务效应,对国土空间优化和区域可持续发展具有重要意义。以1980、2000、2018年土地利用遥感监测数据为基础,基于“三生空间”视角,采用地学信息图谱刻画了三峡库区土地利用转型过程,并通过生态系统服务贡献值测度了土地利用转型的生态环境效应。结果表明: 1980—2018年,三峡库区工业生产空间和生活空间面积不断增加,而农业生产空间和生态空间面积逐渐减少;从图谱转移视角分析,1980—2000年间,土地利用格局相对稳定,以未发生转移的图谱单元占主导,而2000—2018年土地利用转型复杂,以农业生产空间与林地、草地生态空间相互转化占主导,城镇化、工业化进程加快是导致农业生产空间、生态空间面积萎缩的主要原因;三峡库区生态系统服务价值在时间上呈先缓慢降低后迅速增加的趋势,在空间上呈“东部高-西部低”的分布特征;生态保护修复工程促进了生态系统服务价值正效应,但经济社会快速发展挤占了大量的农业生产空间、生态空间,加之农田复耕等行为在一定程度上导致了生态系统服务价值负效应。     

The spatial distribution of badgers, setts and latrines: the risk for intra-specific and badger-livestock disease transmission

The spatial distribution of wildlife hosts and the associated environmental distribution of their excretory products are important factors associated with the risk of disease transmission between wildlife and livestock. At a landscape scale, heterogeneous distribution of a wildlife host will create regional hot spots for disease risk, while at the farm level, distributional patterns of wildlife excretory products as well as habitat use are of primary importance to the assessment of disease risk to livestock. In the UK, badgers have been implicated in the transmission of bovine tuberculosis to cattle. In this study, we focus on the spatial and social organization and habitat use of badgers as well as the distributions of their excretions at latrine and sett sites to assess intra- and inter-species (badger–cattle) disease risk. Across the study site, badger latrines and setts were found in prominent clusters, at distances of up to 250 and 200 m respectively. This was partly due to small-scale clustering of latrines around sett sites, so that disease risk may be higher within the vicinity of setts. The clustered distribution suggests that sites of high risk for TB transmission may be localised within farms. Exclusion of cattle from the few sett and latrine sites within their grazing pasture is therefore likely to provide an effective way of reducing the risk of disease transmission. We also found evidence of social sub-division within badger social groups based on differences in the use of main and outlier setts. This may contribute to localised clusters of infection within the badger population, resulting in heterogeneous patterns of environmental disease risk to the wider host community. A greater understanding of variation in host behaviour and its implications for patterns of disease will allow the development of more targeted and effective management strategies for wildlife disease in group-living hosts.     

Exploration of conservation and development strategies with a limited stakeholder approach for local cattle breeds

Many local breeds have become endangered due to their substitution by high-yielding breeds. To conserve local breeds, effective development strategies need to be investigated. The aim of this study was to explore conservation and development strategies based on quantified strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) for two local cattle breeds from Northern Germany, namely the German Angler (GA) and Red Dual-Purpose cattle (RDP). The data comprised 158 questionnaires regarding both breeds’ SWOT, which were answered by 78 farmers of GA and 80 farmers of RDP. First, data were analysed using the SWOT-Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method, which combines the qualitative strategic decision tool of SWOT analysis and the quantitative tool of AHP. Second, prioritised SWOT factors were discussed with stakeholders in order to form final conservation and development strategies at breed level. For GA prioritised strengths were daily gain, meat quality, milk production and the usage of new biotechnologies, weaknesses were genetic gain in milk production and inbreeding, opportunities were organic farming and breed-specific characteristics and threats were milk prices and dependency regarding the dairy business. Consequently, three conservation and development strategies were formed: (1) changing relative weights and the relevant breeding goal to drift from milk to meat, (2) increasing genetic gain and control the rate of inbreeding by the implementation of specific selection programs and (3) selection of unique and breed characteristic components on product level, that is, milk-fat and fine muscle fibers. For RDP defined strengths were robustness, high adaptability for different housing systems and a balanced dual-purpose of milk and meat, weaknesses were inbreeding, breed extinction, genomic selection with young bulls and milk yield, opportunities were organic farming and dual-purpose aspects and threats were milk and decreasing beef cattle prices. Thus, three conservation and development strategies were identified: (1) adjust relative weights and the relevant breeding goal to balance milk and meat yield, (2) increasing genetic gain and avoid extinction by implementing targeted selection programs and (3) selection of unique and breed characteristic traits on breed level, that is, environmental robustness. Quantified SWOT establish a basis for the exploration of conservation and development strategies at breed level. Explored strategies are promising even if the stakeholder approach was limited for small populations regarding a small number of stakeholder groups. The used approach reflects farmers’ individual convenience better than existing quantitative strategy decision tools on their own.     

Grazing, social and comfort behaviour of Ankole and crossbred (Ankole × Holstein) heifers on pasture in south western Uganda

The aim of this study was to assess the grazing, social and comfort behaviour of the indigenous purebred Ankole cattle breed and crossbred (Holstein × Ankole) animals under typical management conditions in south western Uganda. Twelve focal animals in each of four groups (two groups per genotype) were observed regarding their grazing, social and comfort behaviour on pasture.No significant differences in grazing behaviour patterns (eating, walking, standing) were found between the genotypes. Resting occurred only very rarely in both genotypes. Walking distances of Ankole and Ankole × Holstein crosses were also similar. There was no difference in the occurrence of agonistic interactions between the two genotypes. However, Ankole cattle engaged in more non-agonistic social interactions than their crossbred counterparts. Individual distances were lower in Ankole heifers and more herd mates were found within a radius of 5 m around the Ankole animals. The most important comfort behaviour pattern in both genotypes was self-licking, which occurred to similar frequency in Ankole and crossbred heifer groups. Crossbred animals scratched themselves and rubbed on objects more often than Ankole heifers.Although Ankole cattle and their Holstein crosses did not differ in grazing, distances walked and agonistic behaviours, the significant differences between the two genotypes in herd cohesion and comfort behaviour may pose challenges on the management of crossbred animals under extensive open grazing conditions as present in south western Uganda. Thus, apart from (re)productive performance traits, behavioural traits of both genotypes may also be taken into account for breeding decisions and management under current production conditions.     

Gray Ukrainian cattle and their closely related forms

Data of previous investigations on the origin of Gray Ukrainian cattle and their relatives in European countries are duscussed. Literature data on the biodiversity of the exterior, phenotypic, and productive indices of ecotypes and breed groups of Gray Ukrainian cattle under various environmental and geographical conditions are reported, which are supplemented with our own experimental data on the differentiation of a number of genetic-biochemical systems of different groups of Gray Ukrainian cattle raised under various environmental and geographic conditions.     

城市物质代谢的生态效率——以深圳市为例

城市可持续发展研究的关键是城市物质代谢通量及其效率研究,但物质代谢通量仅能反映代谢速率,而其生态效率则能反映支持社会经济发展的物质代谢能力。从工业、生活的源头循环(减少原生资源的消耗)和末端循环(减少污染物的产生)角度,构建城市物质代谢生态效率的度量模型,并依据中国城市化发展进程,选定深圳市作为研究区,核算城市水、能量和废物代谢通量以及代谢的生态效率。结果表明:随着深圳市社会经济的快速发展,水、能源和废物代谢通量呈现出增长势头,但代谢的生态效率不断提高。1998～2004年间,GDP增长2.7倍,城市水和电的代谢通量分别增长1.5倍和3.0倍;工业增加值增长3.7倍,工业水、电、能源和废物的代谢通量分别增长1.9、3.5、2.7倍和2.0倍;常住人口增长1.5倍,居民水和电的代谢通量分别增长1.8倍和1.7倍;资源效率提高1.8倍,环境效率提高3.7倍,生态效率提高2.3倍。虽然深圳市物质代谢的生态效率在提高,但是随着物质资源的日益稀缺,物质代谢的生态效率仍需进一步提高,而提高城市物质代谢生态效率的关键是资源效率和环境效率的协同发展,以及逐步构建废物资源化的循环链条。     

Eco-efficiency of urban material metabolism: a case study in Shenzhen, China

The keys of studying urban sustainable development are material metabolism flux and efficiency. Metabolism flux of urban materials can only reflect the metabolism velocity, while its eco-efficiency can determine the metabolism capacity to support socio-economic development. The general model and the measure model of the eco-efficiency were set up, based on the source recycle (decreasing the consumption of crude resources) and the terminal recycle (decreasing the discharge of pollutants) of production and life. These models were employed to study material metabolism flux and efficiency in Shenzhen, China. Results showed that water, energy and waste metabolism fluxes have increased since 1998 with constant socio-economic development, and their eco-efficiencies have also increased rapidly. When GDP rose by 2.7 times, the metabolism fluxes of urban water and electricity rose by 1.5 and 3.0 times, respectively. When the added value of industry rose by 3.7 times, the metabolism fluxes of industrial water, electricity, energy and waste rose by 1.9, 3.5, 2.7 and 2.0 times, respectively. When population rose by 1.5 times, the metabolism fluxes of residential water and electricity rose by 1.8 and 1.7 times, respectively. During the period, the resource efficiency, environmental efficiency and eco-efficiency rose by 1.8, 3.7 and 2.3 times, respectively. Whereas the efficiency of material metabolism has been improved in Shenzhen, the scarcity of material resources has become more and more serious. Therefore, it is necessary to further improve the efficiency of material metabolism. The keys of improving the eco-efficiency of urban material metabolism are the increasing of resource and environmental efficiencies, and the establishing of the recycling chain of re-utilization of waste resources.     

Eco-efficiency of urban material metabolism: a case study in Shenzhen, China

The keys of studying urban sustainable development are material metabolism flux and efficiency. Metabolism flux of urban materials can only reflect the metabolism velocity, while its eco-efficiency can determine the metabolism capacity to support socio-economic development. The general model and the measure model of the eco-efficiency were set up, based on the source recycle (decreasing the consumption of crude resources) and the terminal recycle (decreasing the discharge of pollutants) of production and life. These models were employed to study material metabolism flux and efficiency in Shenzhen, China. Results showed that water, energy and waste metabolism fluxes have increased since 1998 with constant socio-economic development, and their eco-efficiencies have also increased rapidly. When GDP rose by 2.7 times, the metabolism fluxes of urban water and electricity rose by 1.5 and 3.0 times, respectively. When the added value of industry rose by 3.7 times, the metabolism fluxes of industrial water, electricity, energy and waste rose by 1.9, 3.5, 2.7 and 2.0 times, respectively. When population rose by 1.5 times, the metabolism fluxes of residential water and electricity rose by 1.8 and 1.7 times, respectively. During the period, the resource efficiency, environmental efficiency and eco-efficiency rose by 1.8, 3.7 and 2.3 times, respectively. Whereas the efficiency of material metabolism has been improved in Shenzhen, the scarcity of material resources has become more and more serious. Therefore, it is necessary to further improve the efficiency of material metabolism. The keys of improving the eco-efficiency of urban material metabolism are the increasing of resource and environmental efficiencies, and the establishing of the recycling chain of re-utilization of waste resources.     

Proteomic analysis reveals oxidative stress response as the main adaptative physiological mechanism in cows under different production systems

Three groups of cows representing three ranges of welfare in the production system were included in the study: two groups of Bruna dels Pirineus beef cattle maintained under different management systems (good and semiferal conditions) and a group of Alberes cows, a breed that lives in the mountains (hardest conditions). In order to identify new stress/welfare biomarkers, serum from Bruna cows living in both environments was subjected to DIGE labelling, two-dimensional electrophoresis and MALDI-MS or ion trap MS. Identification was achieved for 15 proteins, which mainly belonged to three biological functions, the oxidative stress pathway (glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and paraoxonase (PON-1)), the acute phase protein family (Heremans Schmid glycoprotein alpha2 (α2-HSG)) and the complement system. Biological validation included the Alberes breed. GPx and PON-1 were validated by an enzymatic assay and found to be higher and lower, respectively, in cows living in hard conditions. α2-HSG was validated by ELISA and found to be reduced in hard conditions. Other biomarkers of the redox status were also altered by living conditions: protein carbonyl content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR). Our results show that changes in the redox system are the main adaptation of cows living in challenging environmental conditions.     

Embryo sex selection by a rat male-specific antibody and the cytogenetic and developmental confirmation in cattle embryos

Embryos of mouse, rabbit, goat, sheep, and cattle were separated into 2 groups on the basis of their morphology when incubated with a male-specific antibody (qualified here as the H-Y antibody) prepared from newborn rat testis. When morula-stage embryos were cultured in the presence of this H-Y antibody, the development of roughly one half of the embryos was arrested at that stage, whereas the other half continued to develop to the blastocyst stage. The developmentaly arrested group of embryos resumed their development into blastocysts when cultured in antibody-free medium. Eighty to 90% of cattle embryos whose development was unaffected by the antibody were shown to possess a female karyotype (XX), and close to 80% of those embryos whose development was arrested possessed a male karyotype (XY). Cattle embryos whose sex had been presumptively identified by development in the presence of the H-Y antibody were cryopreserved and transferred, and the sex of the calves was examined. The overt sex of the young born from sexed embryos was found to be the same as that determined by chromosomal analysis. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Socio-economics and wildlife conservation of a peri-urban national park in central Kenya

The support, perceptions, values and aspiration of the local people, especially those who neighbour protected areas is increasingly recognised as critical for long-term biodiversity conservation in many countries. As such, conservation agencies are keen to understand the linkages and interactions between wildlife conservation and socio-economics of local communities. We assessed the socio-economic, demographic factors and livelihood status of the households of communities bordering Oldoinyo Sapuk National Park in central Kenya, and evaluated their willingness to support wildlife conservation. We randomly interviewed households that neighbour the Park on a wide range of socio-economic, livelihood and demographic factors. The majority of respondents were small-scale farmers practicing crop farming and livestock keeping. Most respondents considered the Park to have great potential for the future economic development of the area, especially through ecotourism as a potential avenue to support local livelihoods.