Animal carnivores living in and around human habitation are declining at an unprecedented rate – but they may provide crucial benefits to human societies.
Animal carnivores living in and around human habitation are declining at an unprecedented rate – but they may provide crucial benefits to human societies.
An international review led by University of Queensland researchers has revealed that predators and scavengers ranging from bats to leopards and vultures are valuable to human health and well-being.
UQ School of Earth and Environmental Sciences PhD student Christopher O’Bryan said the study showed examples of native predators and scavengers providing services including disease regulation, agricultural productivity and waste disposal.
Predators and scavengers such as big cats in Africa and Asia or dingoes in Australia are a large source of conflict to humans, but there are many examples where they may provide benefits,” Mr O’Bryan said.
Read more at University of Queensland
Image: These are lions in South Africa. (Credit: Christopher O'Bryan)
