Conflicts between large carnivores and local pastoralists around Niokolo Koba National Park, Senegal

Gueye, Mamadou; Cauteren, Dorien Van; Mengual, Lisa; Pellaton, Raoul; Leirs, Herwig; Bertola, Laura D.; Iongh, Hans de

doi:10.1007/s10344-021-01556-5

Cited by 2 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…This situation confirms the mostly inactive behaviour of lions during day time when lions spend most of their time in the shade. Knowledge of the temporal activity of lions is very important for tourism and the mitigation of human-wildlife conflicts (Gueye et al, 2022). Thus, in NKNP, Hereby, we contribute to the understanding of this Regionally Critically Endangered species and provide crucial information to inform conservation activities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…The spotted hyaena is known to be a serious food competitor of lions, especially for middle‐sized prey (Bauer et al., 2008; Trinkel & Kasteberger, 2005). Thus, the low lion density in NKNP could also be related to the relatively higher density and population size of spotted hyaena (1.77–3.53 spotted hyaenas/100 km 2 with 144–288 individuals) (Gueye et al., 2022).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, this structure indicates that the lion population is still capable of growing in NKNP, although slowly. Anthropogenic activities around and within protected areas are known to affect the social structure (Loveridge et al., 2007, 2009; Verschueren, 2017) and are also present in NKNP (Gueye et al., 2022).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Based on depredation studies in NKNP, Gueye et al. (2022) suggested that lions were reported to mainly predate livestock at night and were involved in more cattle attacks (7%). Attacks were frequently observed during the night between 00:00 and 06:00 (53%) and between 18:00 and 00:00 (23%).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This situation confirms the mostly inactive behaviour of lions during day time when lions spend most of their time in the shade. Knowledge of the temporal activity of lions is very important for tourism and the mitigation of human‐wildlife conflicts (Gueye et al., 2022). Thus, in NKNP, after a drastic decline in lion population size in the NKNP in the early 2000s, the lion density and population size are now slowly recovering.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Population size and social structure of lions in a west African protected area

Gueye,

Pellaton,

Van Cauteren

et al. 2023

Afr J Ecol

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To inform the conservation of the Regionally Critically Endangered West African lion, we studied lion population size and social structure in Niokolo Koba National Park (NKNP), Senegal. Calling station and camera trap surveys were conducted and opportunistic lion observations were documented from 2015 to 2020. The average lion density was calculated as 0.50 lion/100 km2 and the population size was estimated as 28–56 individuals. Average lion group size was 2.1 ± 1.45 lions (range 1–8 lions). There were no significant differences between observations of single individuals (43%), groups of two (22%), three (19%), four (4%) and more than four (5%) individual lions (X2 = 30.021, p‐value = 0.06452). Sex ratio showed a ratio of male:female of 1:1.1 to 1:2.8. About 13.59% of the lion population was composed of cubs while, respectively, 81.22% and 5.17% were adults and subadults. Based on the analysis of activity patterns, lions in NKNP are mainly nocturno‐crepuscular (18:00–01:00) and matutinal (06:00–08:00). Lion population size and density are still low in NKNP compared to earlier estimates from the same area, in the late 1990s. We therefore conclude that the conservation of lions in NKNP must be further improved to safeguard this population in the long term.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This situation confirms the mostly inactive behaviour of lions during day time when lions spend most of their time in the shade. Knowledge of the temporal activity of lions is very important for tourism and the mitigation of human‐wildlife conflicts (Gueye et al., 2022). Thus, in NKNP, after a drastic decline in lion population size in the NKNP in the early 2000s, the lion density and population size are now slowly recovering.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Population size and social structure of lions in a west African protected area

Gueye,

Pellaton,

Van Cauteren

et al. 2023

Afr J Ecol

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First insights into the spatio-temporal ecology of sympatric large carnivores in Niokolo-Koba National Park, Senegal

Horion,

Woodgate,

Drouilly

2024

Oryx

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Large carnivores play a crucial role in their native ecosystems, but their populations are rapidly declining across the African continent. West Africa is no exception, with large protected areas often forming the last strongholds for these species. Little is known about the population status and ecology of large carnivores in the region, hampering the design and implementation of effective conservation strategies. We conducted a camera-trap survey during the dry season in Niokolo-Koba National Park, the largest terrestrial protected area in Senegal and the second largest in West Africa, to investigate the spatio-temporal ecology of the four large carnivores inhabiting the Park: the spotted hyaena Crocuta crocuta, leopard Panthera pardus, West African lion Panthera leo leo and African wild dog Lycaon pictus. Spotted hyaenas and leopards had the widest spatial distribution and highest probability of site use. Spotted hyaena site use was positively associated with leopard relative abundance index and negatively associated with normalized difference vegetation index, whereas only distance to the nearest road influenced leopard site use. Distance to the Gambian River was the most important covariate positively affecting site use by lions. African wild dog site use was negatively associated with the relative abundance indices of lions and leopards. Lions, spotted hyaenas and leopards showed strong overlap in their activity patterns. By providing new information on the ecology of large carnivores in West Africa, including where they range and which habitats are critical for their survival, our study will facilitate conservation planning. Our findings lay the foundations for future research to conserve these threatened species in West Africa effectively and to guide ranger patrol efforts, which are key for their long-term survival.

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Conflicts between large carnivores and local pastoralists around Niokolo Koba National Park, Senegal

Cited by 2 publications

References 45 publications

Population size and social structure of lions in a west African protected area

Population size and social structure of lions in a west African protected area

First insights into the spatio-temporal ecology of sympatric large carnivores in Niokolo-Koba National Park, Senegal

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