We studied the activity patterns and movement characteristics of 19 Asiatic lions (Panthera leo leo) monitored through satellite radio‐collars equipped with activity sensors. We investigated the variations in the daily distance covered (movement) and the daily activity patterns from acceleration sensors (activity) in relation to season, group size, age and sex. We hypothesised that for the Asiatic lions: (1) the movement and activity should be variable in relation to demographic parameters (age, sex and social status) and (2) the land tenure characteristics, such as home range and daily distance moved, may be variable within and outside Gir PA (PA). Adult lions' mean daytime activity was 20.37 ± 11.15, while the daily distance moved was 5.1 ± 4.0 km. There was a significant difference in the mean daily distance between males and females, but none between adult and sub‐adult males. Females showed significantly less activity and movement compared to adult males. Adult males were significantly more active than sub‐adult males. Compared to within PA, the mean daily movement for adult males and females ranging outside PA was not different but more significant for sub‐adult males. At the same time, the home ranges are larger outside PA compared to within PA. The difference in space use outside PA was an artefact of long distance forays by adult and sub‐adult males and females on certain days. The foraying distances showed a characteristic pattern for sub‐adult males, adult males and females. We recommend incorporating such intra‐specific variation in movement behaviour due to age–sex and lions' life‐history requirements in conservation planning. We further recommend a detailed investigation of resource and habitat use considering demographic variability for implementing management action for conserving Asiatic lions in multi‐use landscapes.

Endangered Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica) are renowned for their resilience and as a flagship of successful conservation and management. Lions dispersing out of the Gir forest have established themselves in the coastal habitats for about 25 years. We propose that the home range and spatial distribution of lions inhabiting the coastal habitats would be distinct from the forested habitats of the protected area. Each individual was monitored for an average of 367.2 ± 99.05 days from 2019 to 2021. The mean core area was 33.8 km2 (50% FK, SE 8.7 km2) and the overall average range was 171.8 km2 (90% FK, SE 40.5 km2). The home ranges were significantly larger for lions residing in the coastal area compared to lions in the protected area. The lion distribution model was built on MaxEnt, and inputs included location fixes of lions and variables, including 18 land use categories and Euclidean distance to linear infrastructures and human settlements. Lions were shown to use forest habitat patches extensively, followed by available habitats around water sources and wasteland. The study highlights the importance of corridors connecting to the Gir protected area and the importance of coastal forest patches for lion conservation and management.

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Endangered Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica) are found in the Asiatic Lion Landscape, Gujarat, which includes protected areas and a multi-use land matrix. Therefore, monitoring lions’ space-use and spatio-temporal location is vital for managing various facets of human−lion interaction. Our study demonstrates how this was achieved by tracking lions using GPS radio-collars, triggering prompt action via an efficient communication network across political and forest administrative boundaries. We monitored the movement of 19 individual lions for 436.5 ± 32 days and also derived the mean daily activity from three-axis accelerometer-based activity-sensing feature of a radio-collar. We also monitored geofence breaches. We proposed that immobility and movement are two aspects that generate management action on the ground. While the movement is related to ranging and dispersal, immobility is a situation related to either the animal’s feeding or its health status. From a management standpoint, we discussed the efficacy of the virtual geofence in preventing accidents when lions moved and also presented the advantages of being able to track dispersal through a case study of sub-adult lions. To strengthen our response to lion immobility, we developed a predictive model that specifically highlights an individual lion’s health status and makes the alert response more precise. In conclusion, we critically reviewed the capabilities provided by GPS telemetry and provide protocols that help in the conservation management of lions and that will also have a wider application.

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