Spatial ecology of lions in a small, semi-fenced park surrounded by dense human populations: the case study of Nairobi National Park, Kenya

Francis Lesilau,Hans H De Iongh,Kees C J M Musters,Stijn Verschueren,Maarten Van’T Zelfde,Geert R De Snoo

doi:10.1515/mammalia-2020-0116

Francis Lesilau, Hans H De Iongh + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1515/mammalia-2020-0116

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Journal: Mammalia	Publication Date: Feb 11, 2021
Citations: 2	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Kenya Wildlife Service, Leiden University

Abstract

Abstract Human population growth near protected areas often results in detrimental edge effects for apex carnivores, such as the African lion. Urbanization leads to new scenarios of the human–lion conflict, thus understanding ranging patterns close to urban environments is crucial to inform future management strategies. We collected GPS data from 12 collared lions between 2014 and 2018 in Nairobi National Park, which borders the capital city of Kenya, Nairobi city. We estimated home ranges, calculated daily distance traveled and tested for differences between sex, season and pride. Additionally, we investigated how disturbance from Nairobi and surrounding human settlements affected space-use of lions, and tested for differences between sex, season and time of day. Lions showed restricted movements (4.5 km/day) and had small home ranges (49 km2). Male lions had larger ranges than females, but avoidance behavior of disturbed areas was similar. Lions took advantage during times of low human activity, i.e., during the night, to extend ranging behavior in search for resources. Risk for livestock depredation also increased during the wet season when lions roamed longer, more frequently, and deeper into the community lands. We recommend the establishment of buffer zones to maintain a viable lion population and reduced risk for conflict.

Highlights

Apex carnivores, such as the African lion (Panthera leo Linnaeus, 1758), cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus Schreber, 1775), leopard (Panthera pardus Linnaeus, 1758), and the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus Temminck 1820) show global declines in population numbers (Bauer and Van Der Merwe 2004; Riggio et al 2013; Woodroffe 2000)
Human population growth near protected areas often results in detrimental edge effects for apex carnivores, such as the African lion
Including the 5% outer most GPS fixes resulted in a mean annual home range size of 93.4 ± 43.0 km2 (100% Minimum Convex Polygons (MCP)), covering almost 80% of National Park (NNP)

Summary

Introduction

Apex carnivores, such as the African lion (Panthera leo Linnaeus, 1758), cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus Schreber, 1775), leopard (Panthera pardus Linnaeus, 1758), and the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus Temminck 1820) show global declines in population numbers (Bauer and Van Der Merwe 2004; Riggio et al 2013; Woodroffe 2000). Lions generally live in prides, and the home range of an individual may be confined by the pride’s territory (Schaller 1972). Home range size is mainly dependent on prey density, on factors reflecting prey availability, such as environment, season and human presence (Bauer and Iongh 2005; Davidson et al 2012; Loveridge et al 2009; Spong 2002; Tuqa et al 2014). Nomadic males may roam over extensive ranges due to the fact that they avoid the territories of pride males (Funston et al 2003; Loveridge et al 2009). Sub-adults that have been forced to become nomadic, usually remain close to the natal territory and may establish a new home range near the natal pride’s territory (Elliot et al 2014; Funston et al 2003)

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