Agricultural development accelerates the loss of habitat for many wildlife species
and brings humans and animals in close proximity, resulting in increased human–wildlife
conflict. In Africa, such conflicts contribute to carnivore population declines in the form of
human retaliation for livestock depredation. However, little knowledge exists about when and
where carnivores attack livestock. Given this need, our objectives were to (1) understand
the spatial and temporal variation of human–carnivore conflict and (2) identify conflict-prone
areas. We addressed these objectives in 18 Tanzanian villages of the Maasai Steppe using
livestock depredation data on lions (Panthera leo), spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) and
leopards (Panthera pardus) from 2004 to 2007. Over the 4-year period, 1,042 carnivore
attacks occurred on livestock, with >50% due to hyenas; shoats (goats and sheep) were the
most commonly depredated livestock. Livestock depredation was unevenly distributed across
villages. About 39% of all recorded attacks occurred in Selela, followed by Emboreet (16%),
and Loiborsoit (11%), while Esilalei, Oltukai, and Engaruka all had >5% of all attacks. Villages
with <1% of all attacks on livestock included Losirwa, Terat, Naiti, and Minjingu. Spotted hyenas
attacked livestock more during the night and when livestock were in bomas (enclosures where
livestock is kept, especially at night), while lions and leopards depredated at similar rates by
time of day and location. Livestock depredation was highest during the wet season. Carnivore
attacks on livestock could be reduced both by avoiding wildlife migration and dispersal areas
during the wet season and by building stronger bomas. Because large carnivore populations
are declining, our findings identify possible alternatives to reduce human–carnivore conflicts,
thus, facilitating large carnivore conservation efforts in landscapes where large carnivores and
livestock co-exist.