IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
| Lehmann, M.B. | |
| The behavioural ecology of a solitary lion pride in Karongwe game reserve | |
| 2007 Full Book | |
The increasing number of small reserves reintroducing lions (Panthera leo) calls for a greater knowledge base of how lions behave in such small areas. For lions to be managed effectively on small reserves their territorial, reproductive and feeding behaviour needs to be understood. A single pride of lions on the Karongwe Game Reserve was studied for six years after their release onto the reserve, from 1999-2005. Over this period the pride consisted of between four and eleven lions. Their home range was larger in summer, and water was found to be important to the placement of these territories. Male lions were found to respond to resource limitations and not social factors for the utilisation of the home range, but did respond to social factors when on territorial patrol. Female lions were also shown to respond to resource factors, but had a stronger response to the social effect of a neighbouring pride. Mating behaviour of the pride was similar to that shown in larger reserves, but the lack of conspecific competition resulted in altered parameters such as increased birth rate and reduced inter-birth interval, resulting in a higher growth rate when compared with the Kruger National Park, but similar to other small reserves in South Africa. The feeding behaviour of the lions was studied, with a particular focus on the number of kills made by different lion groups. Although there was preference for some species, there was no significant selection for prey size, age and gender. A two male coalition or dispersing subadults increased the number of kills made. The single male shared a large number of kills with the pride. Lions can potentially have a substantial impact in small reserves, and it is thus important to understand their biology in order to manage the appropriate driving factors effectively. |
|
 |
PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here |
(c) IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group ( IUCN - The World Conservation Union) |