Eating an elephant, one bite at a time: Predator interactions at carrion bonanzas

Morris, Aaron W.; Smith, Ian; Chakrabarti, Stotra; Lala, Fredrick; Nyagah, Stephen; Bump, Joseph K.

doi:10.1016/j.fooweb.2023.e00304

Cited by 2 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Our results contrast with those of Morris et al. ( 2023 ), who only recorded jackals feeding on one of the two elephant carcasses in Tsavo East National Park, Kenya, and the species was infrequently ( n = 60 detections) recorded, relative to our observations in Madikwe ( n = 3708 ~ 6 carcasses). Spotted hyaena can reach higher densities in East African savanna ecosystems (e.g., >100 individuals per 100 km 2 ; Höner et al., 2005 ) and increased clan size may lead to greater rates of resource dominance and reduced tolerance of sympatric carnivores.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

“…Our results are in accordance with those of Morris et al. ( 2023 ), who also found that lions dominated elephant carcasses in Tsavo East National Park, Kenya. Lions exhibit greater selectivity for larger carcasses and will often exclude competing carnivores from accessing these resources (Amorós et al., 2020 ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 94%

“…als in Madikwe emphasises the findings ofWelch et al (2022) which show the site-specific, adaptive behaviour of jackals.Our results contrast with those ofMorris et al (2023), who only recorded jackals feeding on one of the two elephant carcasses in Tsavo East National Park, Kenya, and the species was infrequently (n = 60 detections) recorded, relative to our observations in Madikwe (n = 3708 ~ 6 carcasses). Spotted hyaena can F I G U R E 3 Circadian activity and peak activity periods of selected carnivores measured across six elephant carcasses in Madikwe Game Reserve (2019-2020).…”

contrasting

confidence: 99%

“…Although lions exhibited moderate levels of circadian activity overlap with sympatric carnivores, the co-detection rates between lions and other species were virtually zero despite increasing with carcass age, suggesting lions almost entirely dominated resources when present. Our results are in accordance with those ofMorris et al (2023), who also found that lions dominated elephant carcasses in Tsavo East National Park, Kenya. Lions exhibit greater selectivity for larger carcasses and will often exclude competing carnivores from accessing these resources(Amorós et al, 2020).…”

supporting

confidence: 93%

“…Although providing relief, elephant carcasses may also attract many scavenging species, creating a point of increased interactions, particularly between dominant and subordinate predators (Morris et al., 2023 ). Thus, understanding the role of megaherbivore carcasses in the diet of apex predators such as lion and spotted hyaena is important to provide insight into coexistence strategies adopted at shared resources.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Lion lords and sharing hyaenas: Carnivore guild dynamics around elephant carcasses

Honiball,

Davis,

Ntlokwana

et al. 2024

Ecology and Evolution

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Megaherbivore carcasses represent sporadic but energetically rewarding resources for carnivores, offering a unique opportunity to study coexistence dynamics between facultative scavengers. South African fenced protected areas, such as Madikwe Game Reserve (Madikwe hereafter), host viable populations of large carnivores and high densities of elephants, Loxodonta africana. However, high carnivore densities can lead to potentially fatal interspecific encounters and increased competition, particularly around high‐quality trophic resources. This study explores the temporal partitioning and co‐detection strategies of carnivores at six elephant carcasses in Madikwe, aiming to understand how the increased carrion biomass available at elephant carcasses influences coexistence dynamics. Camera traps were deployed to monitor carcasses during two periods (2019 and 2020), revealing occurrences of six carnivore species. Carnivores, particularly black‐backed jackals, Lupulella mesomelas, (hereafter jackal), lions, Panthera leo, and spotted hyaenas, Crocuta crocuta, comprised 56.7% of carcass observations, highlighting their pivotal roles in scavenging dynamics. Pairwise co‐detection analysis demonstrated consistent association and shared peak activity periods between jackals and spotted hyaenas, indicating potential resource sharing. However, the minimal co‐detection rates between lions and other carnivores highlight their resource domination. There was some evidence of temporal partitioning between carnivores, with most species exhibiting earlier peaks in nocturnal activity to avoid temporal overlap with lions. This study emphasises the importance of elephant carcasses in the diet of multiple species and coexistence techniques utilised to exploit this ephemeral resource. As fenced protected areas become crucial for conserving intact carnivore guilds globally, further research into carnivore behavioural adaptations at carcasses is recommended to shed light on their coexistence strategies.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 94%

contrasting

confidence: 99%

supporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Lion lords and sharing hyaenas: Carnivore guild dynamics around elephant carcasses

Honiball,

Davis,

Ntlokwana

et al. 2024

Ecology and Evolution

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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The lion's share: implications of carnivore diet for threatened herbivores in Tsavo, Kenya

King,

Chakrabarti,

Lala

et al. 2024

Oryx

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Predation can have cascading, regulatory effects across ecological communities. Knowledge of the diet of predators can therefore provide important information regarding their ecology and conservation, as well as their impacts on prey populations. Using scats collected during 2019–2023 and estimates of prey abundance from aerial surveys, we characterized prey consumption and preferences of the Vulnerable African lion Panthera leo population in Tsavo, Kenya. Biomass models applied to prey frequencies in scats revealed that > 85% of lion diet comprised large ungulates weighing > 150 kg. The Critically Endangered hirola Beatragus hunteri and Endangered Grevy's zebra Equus grevyi (species that were introduced in Tsavo as part of ex situ conservation programmes in the 1960s) were amongst the seven prey species, of 16 detected, that were preferred by lions. Our results potentially indicate a disproportionate impact of lion predation on the small hirola and Grevy's zebra populations. Preferential predation, coupled with high availability of alternative prey, may trap the small populations of hirola and Grevy's zebra within a predator pit. Our findings provide a better understanding of lion diet, optimal foraging and the potential effects predators can have on threatened and rare prey species in an important conservation landscape. Based on our findings, we recommend an observational study of the predation ecology of lions and other predators in this system, to provide information on age- and sex-specific predation rates on hirola and Grevy's zebra for a population viability analysis, to support the management of these two threatened and rare herbivores in Tsavo.

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Eating an elephant, one bite at a time: Predator interactions at carrion bonanzas

Cited by 2 publications

References 14 publications

Lion lords and sharing hyaenas: Carnivore guild dynamics around elephant carcasses

Lion lords and sharing hyaenas: Carnivore guild dynamics around elephant carcasses

The lion's share: implications of carnivore diet for threatened herbivores in Tsavo, Kenya

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