Big Cats in Our Backyards: Persistence of Large Carnivores in a Human Dominated Landscape in India

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2013, Volume and Issue: 8(3), P. e57872 - e57872

Published: March 6, 2013

Protected areas are extremely important for the long term viability of biodiversity in a densely populated country like India where land is scarce resource. However, protected cover only 5% area and case large carnivores that range widely, human use landscapes will function as habitats required gene flow to occur between areas. In this study, we used photographic capture recapture analysis assess density human-dominated agricultural landscape with >300 people/km(2) western Maharashtra, India. We found evidence wide suite wild inhabiting cropland devoid wilderness herbivore prey. Furthermore, carnivores; leopard (Panthera pardus) striped hyaena (Hyaena hyaena) occurred at relatively high 4.8±1.2 (sd) adults/100 km(2) 5.03±1.3 respectively. This situation has never been reported before 10 carnivores/100 sharing space dense populations completely modified landscape. Human attacks by leopards were rare despite potentially volatile considering involved serious conflict, including deaths adjoining The results our work push frontiers understanding adaptability both, humans wildlife each other's presence. also highlight urgent need shift from PA centric level conservation approach, issues more complex, potential conflict very high. It highlights rethink policy, law practice current management focus restricted inside Areas.

Language: Английский

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The size of savannah Africa: a lion’s (Panthera leo) view

Biodiversity and Conservation, Journal Year: 2012, Volume and Issue: 22(1), P. 17 - 35

Published: Dec. 1, 2012

We define African savannahs as being those areas that receive between 300 and 1,500 mm of rain annually. This broad definition encompasses a variety habitats. Thus defined, comprise 13.5 million km2 encompass most the present range lion (Panthera leo). Dense human populations extensive conversion land to use preclude by lions. Using high-resolution satellite imagery population density data we areas, places likely have resident populations. In 1960, 11.9 these had fewer than 25 people per km2. The comparable area shrank 9.7 2000. Areas savannah Africa with few shrunk considerably in last 50 years projections suggest they will shrink significantly next 40. current extent free-ranging is 3.4 or about % area. Habitats across this are fragmented; all available indicate 32,000 35,000 lions live 67 areas. Although numbers similar previous estimates, geographically more comprehensive. There abundant evidence widespread declines local extinctions. Under criteria outline, ten qualify strongholds: four East six Southern Africa. Approximately 24,000 strongholds, an additional 4,000 potential ones. However, over 6,000 doubtful long-term viability. Lion West Central acutely threatened many recent, extinctions even nominally protected

Language: Английский

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Lion ( Panthera leo ) populations are declining rapidly across Africa, except in intensively managed areas

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 112(48), P. 14894 - 14899

Published: Oct. 26, 2015

Significance At a regional scale, lion populations in West, Central, and East Africa are likely to suffer projected 50% decline over the next two decades, whereas only increasing southern Africa. Many either now gone or expected disappear within few decades extent that intensively managed may soon supersede iconic savannah landscapes as most successful sites for conservation. The rapid disappearance of lions suggests major trophic downgrading African ecosystems with no longer playing pivotal role apex predator.

Language: Английский

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Conserving large carnivores: dollars and fence

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2013, Volume and Issue: 16(5), P. 635 - 641

Published: March 5, 2013

Abstract Conservationists often advocate for landscape approaches to wildlife management while others argue physical separation between protected species and human communities, but direct empirical comparisons of these alternatives are scarce. We relate African lion population densities trends contrasting practices across 42 sites in 11 countries. Lion populations fenced reserves significantly closer their estimated carrying capacities than unfenced populations. Whereas can maintain lions at 80% potential on annual budgets $500 km −2 , require excess $2000 attain half densities. Lions primarily limited by density dependence, highly sensitive surrounding frequently subjected density‐independent factors. Nearly the may decline near extinction over next 20–40 years.

Language: Английский

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Minimizing predation risk in a landscape of multiple predators: effects on the spatial distribution of African ungulates

Ecology, Journal Year: 2010, Volume and Issue: 92(2), P. 398 - 407

Published: Aug. 12, 2010

Studies that focus on single predator–prey interactions can be inadequate for understanding antipredator responses in multi-predator systems. Yet there is still a general lack of information about the strategies prey to minimize predation risk from multiple predators at landscape level. Here we examined distribution seven African ungulate species fenced Karongwe Game Reserve (KGR), South Africa, as function all large carnivore (lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, and spotted hyena). Using observed kill data, generated ungulate-specific predictions relative riskiness habitats. To determine how ungulates level, explicitly tested five hypotheses consisting reduce probability encountering predators, being killed. All avoided risky habitats, most selected safer thus reducing their smaller (impala, warthog, waterbuck, kudu) space use while larger (wildebeest, zebra, giraffe) only areas where lion leopard were high. The strength avoidance generally did not correspond threat those predators. Instead, used simpler behavioral rule avoiding activity sit-and-pursue (lion leopard), but cursorial (cheetah dog). In general, selection habitats was stronger than predator areas. We expect similar decision rules drive pattern other savannas systems, especially differ hunting modes.

Language: Английский

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Temporal Partitioning of Activity in Large African Carnivores: Tests of Multiple Hypotheses

South African Journal of Wildlife Research, Journal Year: 2009, Volume and Issue: 39(2), P. 109 - 125

Published: Oct. 1, 2009

Africa's large predator guild (lion, Panthera leo; leopard, pardus; spotted hyaena, Crocuta crocuta; cheetah, Acinonyx jubatus, and African wild dog, Lycaon pictus) occurs sympatrically with high dietary overlap. Temporal partitioning could facilitate coexistence, but there has been no study testing this or the factors that may Influence evolution of activity patterns. The patterns predators were reviewed, using published sources, degree overlap was assessed. Six hypotheses made based on three driving patterns: Increased foraging success, scramble Interference competition. All exhibited a crepuscular behaviour, supporting relating to increased hunting success. Nocturnal exhibit decreased at darkest times night due visual limitations. There support for hypothesis would be active same time as their main prey species. Although all members suffer intraguild predation, only subordinate competition avoidance by minimizing predators. Subordinate (wild dogs cheetahs), frequently reported suffering from kleptoparasitism, minimize simultaneous major kleptoparasites (lions hyaenas). These latter top have overlap; however, they do not avoid Thus, optimal evolved satisfy diverse range differ amongst Competition is primary cause temporal in between carnivores also morphological adaptations reflecting length occurred sympatry.

Language: Английский

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Moving to stay in place: behavioral mechanisms for coexistence of African large carnivores

Ecology, Journal Year: 2013, Volume and Issue: 94(11), P. 2619 - 2631

Published: May 30, 2013

Most ecosystems have multiple predator species that not only compete for shared prey, but also pose direct threats to each other. These intraguild interactions are key drivers of carnivore community structure, with ecosystem‐wide cascading effects. Yet, behavioral mechanisms coexistence remain poorly understood. The challenges studying large, free‐ranging carnivores resulted in mainly coarse‐scale examination strategies without information about all interacting competitors. We overcame some these by examining the concurrent fine‐scale movement decisions almost individuals four large mammalian a closed terrestrial system. found intensity did follow simple hierarchical allometric pattern, because spatial and tactics subordinate changed threat resource levels across seasons. Lions ( Panthera leo ) were generally unrestricted anchored themselves areas rich their principal also, during periods limitation (dry season), main prey other carnivores. Because this, greatest cost (potential predation) was spatially coupled highest potential benefit acquisition (prey‐rich areas), especially dry season. Leopard P. pardus cheetah Acinonyx jubatus overlapped home range lions minimized risk using fine‐scaled avoidance behaviors restricted tactics. competition most apparent cheetahs, wet season, as energetically rewarding (wildebeest) avoided when they highly activity lions. Contrary expectation, smallest (African wild dog, Lycaon pictus avoid lions, used minimize encountering Intraguild thus forced dogs into lowest availability year round. Coexistence has typically been explained dietary niche separation, our multi‐scaled results suggest differences may instead be consequence avoiding competition. generate more realistic representation ultimately drive explicit trophic structures multi‐predator communities.

Language: Английский

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Edge effects and the impact of non‐protected areas in carnivore conservation: leopards in the Phinda–Mkhuze Complex, South Africa

Animal Conservation, Journal Year: 2010, Volume and Issue: 13(3), P. 315 - 323

Published: Jan. 21, 2010

Abstract Although high rates of anthropogenic mortality are often reported for carnivores near reserve borders, the resulting edge effects rarely quantified, and consequences on conservation goals usually unknown. Here, we assess extent impact a protected leopard Panthera pardus population in Phinda‐Mkhuze Complex (PMC), South Africa. We compared spatial demographic characteristics leopards two areas PMC, one closer to border than other. Leopard density declined from core (11.11 ± 1.31 100 km −2 ) (7.17 1.12 ), was lowest non‐protected adjoining PMC (2.49 0.87 but not related prey abundance or interspecific competition. Radiotelemetry showed that spent greater proportion their time outside suffered higher annual (0.358 0.075) those (0.122 0.065). A Cox proportional hazards model further demonstrated negative effect survival probability leopards. Despite an increased risk mortality, did avoid areas, which may have functioned as ecological trap predators. overall outcome positive, clearly weakened potential protect Our findings show bordering reserves can extend populations. Management approaches control human activities both sides administrative borders therefore essential if conserve large effectively.

Language: Английский

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Big cats kill more livestock when wild prey reaches a minimum threshold

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 192, P. 268 - 275

Published: Oct. 22, 2015

Language: Английский

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Prey preferences and dietary overlap amongst Africa's large predators

South African Journal of Wildlife Research, Journal Year: 2008, Volume and Issue: 38(2), P. 93 - 108

Published: Oct. 1, 2008

Africa supports Earth's richest assemblage of large predators, which coexist despite a high degree dietary overlap. This study used reviews the prey preferences African wild dog Lycaon pictus, cheetah Acinonyx jubatus, leopard Panthera pardus, lion P. leo, and spotted hyaena Crocuta crocuta to investigate overlap niche breadth amongst guild. Wild dogs cheetahs exhibited greatest smallest breadth, while lions least and, with leopards, had broadest breadth. Increased extinction risk within guild was related lower The behavioural morphological specializations two most threatened predators (wild cheetahs) limit available them, increases potential for competition. Conversely, body mass group hunting strategy predatory flexibility leopards hyaenas minimizes effects overlap, assuring more secure status. intimates reasons why are naturally less common than lions, in unmodified landscapes. methods can be applied all adequately studied faunal guilds could highlight previously undetected competitors.

Language: Английский

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