IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Nyanganji, G.; Saidu, Y.; Henschel, P.; Dunn, A. | |
| 2011 Survey of lion (_Panthera leo_) in Yankari Game Reserve and Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria | |
| 2012 Full Book | |
The lion population of Yankari Game Reserve and Kainji Lake National Park was surveyed in January-February and May-June 2011 respectively using standard call-up methodology. The 2011 survey was a repeat of the original baseline national lion survey in 2009 (Saidu, 2010). Formerly widespread in Nigeria, lions are now restricted to the core areas of only two protected areas: Kainji Lake National Park and Yankari Game Reserve. The decline of lions in Nigeria appears to be linked to two main factors: the depletion of the natural prey base as a result of poaching, and an increase in human-lion conflict resulting in direct persecution of lions. Human population growth and agricultural expansion is causing an unprecedented influx of nomadic livestock into protected areas, as alternative grazing reserves are largely absent. Human-lion conflict resulting from such incursions is considered to be the major factor responsible for the decline of the lion population in Nigeria. The marked decline of wild ungulate populations in all protected areas is also problematic and in areas where natural prey has been extirpated the remaining lions have little option but to prey on livestock. Retaliatory action taken by herdsmen against these lions is inevitable. In 2009, Kainji Lake National Park and Yankari Game Reserve were estimated to contain a combined total of 44 individual lions (29 in Kainji Lake, and 15 in Yankari), at which time the current status of lions in Nigeria was described as critically endangered. In 2011 the combined lion population of these two sites had declined to an estimated 34 adult lions (32 in Kainji Lake, and 2 in Yankari). Although the estimate for Yankari is acknowledged to be tentative given the limitations of the call-up survey methodology, which lacks precision when applied to very small populations, the suggested dramatic decline of lions in Yankari since 2009 is corroborated by an analysis of CyberTracker data from ranger patrols. Without concerted action the lion population will continue to decline and in time may completely disappear from Nigeria. The extremely small lion population now remaining at Yankari Game Reserve is in imminent danger of extinction, it is likely that lions will disappear from Yankari within a few years without rapid and decisive management interventions to permit the swift recovery of lion and prey populations. The long-term survival of lions in Nigeria demands urgent and focused conservation effort and improved financial and technical support for Yankari Game Reserve and Kainji Lake National Park. |
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