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Smuts, G.L.
Population characteristics and recent history of lions in two parts of the Kruger national park
1976  Koedoe (19): 153-164

A survey entailing the capture and marking of lions was undertaken in two parts of the Kruger National Park, Republic of South Africa, during 1974 and 1975. A total of 347 lions were captured and marked while 62 were destroyed as part of an experimental cropping operation. Sixty out of 66 prides contained marked lions. The Central District (5560 square km) has a minimum population of 708 lions (60 prides) while the Crocodile Bridge area (463 square km) had 67 lions. Adult sex ratios differed between areas with a range of 1M:1,7F to 1M:2,4F and was density dependent. Sex ratios for all age classes together varied between 1M:1,4F and 1M:1,7F (n=591 lions). Age composition for the Central District was: adults 53,3%, sub-adults 17,1%, large cubs 8.8%, small cubs 20,9% (n=708 lions). Lion density (all ages) ranged from 10,5 to 15,5 lions/100 square km while lion biomass ranged from 11,0 to 18,2 kg/square km. Pride sizes ranged from four to 21 with a mean of 11,8 for the whole study area. Average number of adult males per pride ws 2,1 with a maximum of five. Ten marked lions were destroyed outside the Park and part of one pride was migratory within the Park. The past and present distribution of prides and their sizes, indicated that the lion population had increased considerably and this increase could be correlated with an increase in the number of artificieal waterholes and the stabilization of existing waterholes. Since 1933, 29 dams were built and 64 windmills erected in the study areas, with the number of lions and their prey populations more than doubling since this date.

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