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Eloff, F.C.
Lion predation in the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park
1973 Journal of the southern african wildlife management association (3): 59-63
A study of lion predation was carried out in the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park by following prides of lions over varying periods. The Kalahari lion preys on at least 14 species of large and small mammals. Analysis of the kill data shows that small mammals play a significant role in the Kalahari lion's daily food requirements. The number of prey animals killed per year by a Kalahari lion is estimated at 47; its daily food consumption comes to 4.95kg. Possibly due to smaller range of prey species, the predator prey relationships and the inter-species competition of the predator community of the Kalahari seem to represent a unique situation. Lion predation seems to play a minor role in regulating the numbers of prey species.
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