Use of Wild Cattle to Enhance Village Welfare and Reduce Illegal Harvest of Wildlife in the Chin Hills of Myanmar

Collaborating with Friends of Wildlife, Natmataung National Park, Forest Department (Nature and Wildlife Division), and Khyne U Mar from the University of Sheffield, we will work with villages around and within Natmataung National Park in the Chin Hills of eastern Myanmar to foster a relationship that enhances their ability to own and care for wild cattle (mithan) in return for reduced wildlife hunting.

We are conducting a pilot study at two villages where we will use camera-traps to monitor wildlife abundance around the village and provide both mithan and veterinary care to the villages. Friends of Wildlife will arrange the mithan exchange program while the reserve staff will conduct the wildlife monitoring.