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Kimaro, M.H., Mrosso, H.T., Chidodo, S.J., Chilagane, N.A., Msigwa, F.F., Bulenga, G.B., Kichele- ri, R.P., Mgeni, C.P., Kangile, R.J., Ki- mambo, E.A., Hughes, C., Warbington, C., Mchaki, H., Mathayo, D. and Kiwango, H.R. (2022) African Lion Population Esti- mates in Tanzania’s Ruaha National Park. |
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Tanzania is considered a country with the largest number of African lions
( Panthera leo ). However, the continued absence of ecological population es-
timates and understanding of the associated factors influencing lion distribu-
tion hinders the development of conservation planning. This is particularly
true in the Ruaha-Rungwa landscape, where it was estimated that more than
10% of the global lion population currently resides. By using a call-back sur-
vey method, we aimed to provide population estimates (population size and
density) of African lions in the Ruaha National Park, between wet (March
2019) and dry (October 2019) seasons. We also assessed the key factors that
influenced the distribution of the observed lions towards call-back stations.
Ferreira & Funston’s (2010) formula was used to calculate population size
and in turn used to estimate density in the sampled area, while the Genera-
lized Linear Model (GLMM) with zero-inflated Poisson error distribution was
used to determine factors that influence the distribution of the observed lions
to call-back stations. The population size we calculated for the sampled area
of 3137.2 km 2 revealed 286 lions (95% CI, 236 - 335) during the wet season,
and 196 lions (95% CI, 192 - 200) during the dry season. The density of lions
was 9.1/100 km 2 during the wet season, and 6.3/100 km 2 during the dry sea-
son. Distance to water source had a significant negative effect on the distribu-
tion of the observed lions to the call-back stations, while habitat had a mar-
ginal effect. Our findings show that, although lion population estimates were
larger during the wet season than the dry season, the season had no effect on the distribution of the observed lions to call-back stations. We suggest that
the proximity to water sources is important in study design. Further, we sug-
gest that density and population size are useful indices in identifying conser-
vation area priorities and lion coexistence strategies. |
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