Research projects > Summary of individual research projects

Investigations of the African lion in Zambia: assessing population distribution, and abundance, genetic studies, and development of a regional age-based trophy selection program..

• Principal researcher: Dr Paula A White.
• Study area: Zambia.
• Date started: 2003
• Academic institution: Center for Tropical Research, University of California, Los Angeles.
• Summary: Established in 2003, the initial goals of the Luangwa Lion Project were to estimate population size and determine movements of lions between national parks and adjacent game management areas (GMAs = hunting blocks) in Zambia’s Luangwa Valley using surveys, playbacks, interviews, and genetic measures.
  In 2004, the expanded Zambia Lion Project (ZLP) in partnership with Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) began working intensively with the hunting community to obtain genetic samples from lions taken as trophies throughout Zambia. Genetic analyses being conducted at both population and regional scales is being used to describe population structure, quantify local genetic differentiation, and allow for placement of Zambia’s lions within the larger framework of sub-Saharan Africa. Since 2005, the ZLP has been working to develop an age-based trophy selection program modeled after Tanzania’s “Savanna’s Forever”, the aim of which is to ensure long-term sustainability of lion populations that are hunted for sport.
  Whenever possible, the ZLP conducts surveys and interviews to document lion distribution and abundance in outlying areas of the country (e.g., Sioma Ngwezi, Luapula, Mweru Wantipa) that constitute potentially suitable lion habitat but where the current status of lions is unknown.
  Currently, the ZLP is focusing on lions in the Kafue ecosystem and the national parks and GMAs located in the west and southwestern regions of the country. While lions are known to persist in some of these outlying areas, the potential for movement between populations, both within Zambia and between Zambia and neighboring countries (Angola, Namibia (Caprivi Strip), Botswana), is unknown. In order to obtain a more comprehensive picture of species connectivity across this vast landscape and to compliment existing methods of data collection, deployment of satellite collars on lions in western Zambia is planned for 2010. Data on distribution, connectivity, and genetics of Zambia’s lions fill vital data gaps and will assist in the identification of ecologically sustainable units of African lions in the southern Africa region.
  

The impact of tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis on lions in the Kruger National Park.

• Principal researcher: Dr Dewald Keet.
• Study area: Kruger National Park, South Africa.
• Date started: 1997
• Academic institution: Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria.
• Summary: This is a comparative study where a tuberculosis infected population (n = 16) is compared to a non-infected population (n = 16) regarding longevity, reproduction, recruitment, body condition, haematology, blood chemistry and serology. Each study group consists of ten lionesses and six lions aged between four and eight years. The two groups are exact replicas of each other regarding age. Their tuberculosis status was determined through a modified intradermal tuberculin test. Lions were fitted with radio transmitters and branded with an unobtrusive symbol. Aerial monitoring sessions with a digital video camera are repeated every three months and supported by ground observations and tracking sessions. The duration of the study will be five years.

The impact of lion predation on the large herbivore subpopulations of the Timbavati-Klaserie-Umbabat Complex, South Africa.

• Principal researcher: Jason Turner.
• Supervisor: Prof. J du P Bothma.
• Study area: Timbavati, Klaserie & Umbabat Private Nature Reserves, South Africa.
• Date started: 2000
• Academic institution: Centre of Wildlife Management, University of Pretoria.
• Summary: A predator-prey study to determine the impact of lion predation on the declining large herbivore subpopulations of the Timbavati-Klaserie-Umbabat Complex. In 1993 the fences between this complex of private nature reserves and the Kruger National Park were dismantled, creating a more open ecological system. The large herbivore subpopulations in the private nature reserves continued to decline and a study was undertaken to determine whether lion predation is the regulating factor (M.Sc study).

Spatial socio-ecology of lions in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park

• Principal researcher: Ryan van Niekerk.
• Supervisor: Prof. Neil Ferguson.
• Study area: Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
• Date started: 1999
• Academic institution: University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg.
• Summary: An analysis of the historical records of sightings of lions. The influence of rainfall, habitat structure, prey species, and water availability on lion grouping strategies, and spatial usage are being investigated (MSc study).

Spatial socio-ecology of lions in the Kruger National Park

• Principal researcher: Debbie Donkin.
• Supervisor: Prof. Neil Ferguson.
• Study area: Kruger National Park, South Africa.
• Date started: 1997
• Academic institution: University of Natal, Durban.
• Summary: An analysis of the historical records of sightings of lions. The influence of rainfall, habitat structure, and prey species on lion grouping strategies, and spatial usage were investigated. A database with approximately 47,000 sightings (1957-1985) was utilised. There were larger groups of adults and more sightings than expected in the open tree savanna, while subadult and cub group sizes peaked in the woodlands. Larger groups formed where their favoured prey species were in greatest abundance. The lions exhibited risk-prone behaviour across rainfall variability regions, forming larger groups in environments with higher coefficients of variation in rainfall. (MSc study).

A test of a predictive model of lion spatial-socio ecology

• Principal researcher: Rob Slotow.
• Study area: Several conservation areas.
• Date started: 1996
• Academic institution: University of Natal, Durban.
• Summary: Data from various lion projects (Kruger & Hluhluwe-Umfolozi) including Serengeti will be used. The model will then be tested in seven smaller SA conservation areas (Pilanesberg, Madikwe, Makalali, Phinda, Welgevonden, Entabeni, and Ligwalagwala) where lions have been introduced.

Effects of the environment on the temporal roaring patterns of lions

• Principal researcher: Guy Redman
• Supervisor: Dr Rob Slotow.
• Study area: Willem Pretorius Game Reserve, South Africa
• Date started: 1999
• Academic institution: University of Natal, Durban.
• Summary: Roars are played through a playback system at different times of day to assess the attenuation and degradation of roars as heard at different distances. The difference in amplitude of the entire bout of the roar (moan, full-throated roar and grunt) at different times of day proved to be non-significant, although there was a trend towards roars being louder at night than during the day. In both nocturnal and diurnal broadcasts, the amplitudes decreased significantly with an increase in distance (BSc Hons project).