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Mller, L.
Temporal variation in lion (_Panthera leo_) ecology: The effect of moon phase and season on livestock depredation and lion activity in Waza National Park, Northern Cameroon
2009  Full Book

Lion populations in West and Central Africa are declining due to an increase in human pressure. Lion livestock conflicts are recognized as one of the major factors contributing to this decline. The main aim of this study was to investigate the effects of moon phase and seasons on livestock predation and lion activity. Five lions were collared for the purpose of this research. The collars were each programmed to record the positions of the collared individual at 30 minute intervals, so that a total of 48 positions (fixes) could be received per day. The GPS location data stored on the internal memory of the collars was used to obtain information about the lion's activity and movement. The GPS-Cluster method was used to obtain information about the lion's diet. The results show that seasonal variation has a significant effect on lion activity but no significant effect on livestock predation. Male lions were found to be most active during the wet season whereas female lions were found to be most active during the hot dry season. A peak in livestock predation was observed during the wet season. In addition, it was found that moon phase has no significant effect on lion activity but does however, have a significant effect on livestock predation. An increase in livestock predation was observed during full moon periods. Full moon periods can therefore be identified as a high risk period for livestock depredation. This information is useful for generating practical recommendations for conflict mitigation. Eventually it may lead to a decrease in the retaliatory killing of lions and contribute to the protection of lion populations threatened by lion-livestock conflicts.

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