Corridors of tolerance through human-dominated landscapes facilitate dispersal and connectivity between populations of African lionsPanthera leo

Stephanie Dolrenry,Laurence Frank,Leela Hazzah

doi:10.1017/s0030605319000656

Abstract

AbstractGlobally, little is known about the dispersal abilities of carnivores, their survival in non-protected areas, and the connectivity between protected and non-protected populations. More than a decade of sighting data for 496 known African lionsPanthera leo, with 189 individuals engaging in dispersing activities plus an exchange of cross-site information, has provided unique insight into connectivity and survival in unprotected and protected areas in Kenya. In particular, three individuals, across two generations residing solely in unprotected landscapes, demonstrated connectivity between three protected areas that, to our knowledge, have not previously been recognized as harbouring connected populations. These observations suggest that unprotected areas and the human communities that reside in them may successfully create corridors of tolerance that facilitate connectivity and the long-term persistence of lion populations, both within and outside protected areas.

Highlights

Little is known about the dispersal abilities of carnivores, their survival in non-protected areas, and the connectivity between protected and non-protected populations
In addition to sufficient habitat, the tolerance of human communities is a primary factor for large carnivore population connectivity and long-term viability (Decker & Purdy, ; Carpenter et al, )
Conserving large carnivore populations depends on local communities to maintain or, at least, not reduce carnivore numbers occurring within human-populated areas

Summary

Introduction

Little is known about the dispersal abilities of carnivores, their survival in non-protected areas, and the connectivity between protected and non-protected populations. Keywords Carnivore, community conservation, corridor, dispersal, Kenya, lion, Panthera leo, tolerance We present observational dispersal data on multiple generations of African lions Panthera leo that resided in and dispersed through unprotected human- and livestock-dense areas.

Results

Conclusion