IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Berry, H.H. | |
| Ecological background and management application of contraception in free-living African lions | |
| Manuscript | |
The advent of fencing, artificial waterpoints and elevated levels of disease favoured increases in Etosha's lion population, whilst drastically reducing its preferred prey species. Resultant predator: prey ratios were considered sufficiently abnormal to test whether synthetic hormonal contraception in lionesses could be used as an alternative to culling lions. Thirteen lionesses in 4 prides, comprising 6 % of the adult female population, were used in this experiment. A severe drought coincided with the study, resulting in large numbers of lions, including one experimental pride, being destroyed when trespassing on border farms. The lionesses treated with contraceptives remained anoestrus, but could be returned to fertility by removing implants. Natural mortality of cubs born to untreated lionesses in the experimental prides averaged 58 % which was of the same order as a control pride and other records in Africa. Activity patterns, behaviour and social cohesion in the experimental prides did not alter significantly, but the drought resulted in prides changing their territories. The advantages of contraception as opposed to culling are listed and possible limitations of contraception in free-living lions are given. |
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