Management-Induced Niche Shift? The Activity of Cheetahs in the Presence of Lions

Bissett, Charlene; Parker, Daniel M.; Bernard, R. T. F.; Perry, Travis W.

doi:10.3957/056.045.0197

Cited by 11 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…We recorded crepuscular activity by both species, but with temporal partitioning at dawn and dusk. This reinforces knowledge that cheetahs adapt their activity patterns in response to risk (Bissett et al, 2015; Cozzi et al, 2012; Hayward & Slotow, 2009). However, activity overlap with leopards was high, so cheetahs likely also respond to the presence of this dominant predator at a finer scale (Broekhuis et al, 2013; Cornhill & Kerley, 2020a; Vanak et al, 2013).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Spatiotemporal sharing and partitioning of scent‐marking sites by cheetahs and leopards in north‐central Namibia

et al. 2021

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Scent‐marking sites may facilitate interspecific information gathering and could help to minimise the risk of encounter with interspecific competitors. Recent evidence from South Africa shows that cheetahs avoid dominant predators at scent‐marking sites, which may delay or inhibit intraspecific communication in cheetahs. However, little is known on whether this pattern of avoidance occurs elsewhere in the cheetah's range. We analysed a 9‐year camera trap data set from north‐central Namibia to explore interspecific use of marking sites by cheetahs and leopards. We documented frequent sharing of marking sites, which was likely facilitated through temporal segregation and by availability of alternative sites that were species‐specific. We did not identify a stronger avoidance response of cheetahs to leopards than to conspecifics, suggesting that delayed communication by cheetahs resulting from predator avoidance may be limited in our study area. Seasonality affected patterns of marking site visitation, which may be attributed to behavioural changes in relation to reproduction or resource availability, or to differential detectability of olfactory cues among seasons. We recommend further research to better understand carnivore scent‐marking, including behavioural responses to olfactory cues and environmental conditions, as well as intra‐ and interpopulation differences.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Spatiotemporal sharing and partitioning of scent‐marking sites by cheetahs and leopards in north‐central Namibia

et al. 2021

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“…This is potentially further exacerbated, as reintroduced large predators frequently breed, increasing their population size and rapidly exceeding their site‐specific sustainable densities (Miller & Funston, ). The density of competitively superior carnivores, such as lion Panthera leo, may be artificially high on these small protected areas (Creel et al , ), potentially altering the behaviour of competitively subordinate meso‐predators (Bissett et al , ). The top‐down influences of these management induced multi‐predator systems may, therefore, be acutely profound.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Niche overlap and dietary resource partitioning in an African large carnivore guild

2019

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Understanding and quantifying a large carnivores’ feeding behaviour is a key component in determining its functional significance in an ecosystem, both in terms of its top‐down influence on prey species, but also its relationships with sympatric carnivores. Dietary overlap is one of the numerous niche dimensions used to characterize resource partitioning and potential competition within a community. We characterize the diet, potential dietary niche overlap and prey preference of a large African carnivore guild on small fenced protected areas. To quantify the potential inter‐ and intraspecific foraging competition, we analysed 5,128 kills, representing 35 prey species made by African wild dogs Lycaon pictus (n = 553), cheetahs Acinonyx jubatus (1,427), lions Panthera leo (2,648) and leopards P. pardus (500). Our results show that large African carnivores in small protected areas are exposed to considerable overlap in dietary resource utilization. At the interspecific level, African wild dogs and cheetahs displayed the greatest vulnerability to potential dietary competition. Lions exhibited marked differences in prey preference, mass and species utilization compared to the other carnivores. African wild dogs and cheetah females with dependent offspring occupied the greatest potential for dietary competition within the large carnivore guild. Using a case study based on the preferred biomass of prey available, we estimate the sustainable density of large carnivores at a small fenced prospective African wild dog reintroduction site. African wild dogs displayed the lowest mean predicted density compared to all sympatric predators with an expected population size of 7 individuals. Our research highlights the need to assess the influence of competitive forces in structuring and restoring large predators to portions of their historical range by identifying species most vulnerable to a potential reintroduction attempt. In the absence of controlled experiments, elucidating the influences of exploitation competition is challenging, and only through manipulating sympatric species presence and densities can these complex interactions be fully understood.

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“…Because of this, they are shy in nature and will often abandon their kills in the presence of more robust predators, such as lions, leopards and hyenas [14,39]. To combat this, cheetahs are typically diurnal hunters, as opposed to other large predator species, such as lions, hyena, and leopards, which are nocturnal [39,40]. Their lack of defense against these predators has led to 80% of the current cheetah range being on farmland habitat [28,41].…”

Section: Cheetah Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

Cheetahs Race for Survival: Ecology and Conservation

Marker¹

2019

Wildlife Population Monitoring

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Cheetahs reach speeds of up to 113 km/h accelerating from zero to 96 km/h in 3s. Revered for 5000 years throughout Asia, Europe and Africa has contributed to the species decline. Today's wild cheetah population is estimated at 7100 adult and adolescents, a 90% reduction from a century ago, and a range reduction of 9%. Over 80% live outside protected areas where human-wildlife conflict occurs. Female cheetahs live solitarily with their cubs; male cubs form lifelong coalitions. Living in low densities cheetahs' home ranges cover over 1500 km 2 , requiring large landscapes with prey. Although cheetahs' lack genetic diversity from a historic population bottleneck, their greatest conservation problems are humans. Habitat loss and declining preybase leads to conflict with livestock farmers. Additionally, illegal wildlife trafficking of cubs is affecting small populations in the Horn of Africa. Solving the cheetah conservation crisis is critical and involves addressing a complex web of social, environmental and economic issues, and depends on a holistic approach balancing the needs of humans and cheetahs sharing land. Research into conserving and restoring habitat for cheetahs includes training, the use of Livestock Guarding Dogs, and other conflict mitigation strategies, addressing habitat loss, dismantling the illegal pet trade, and encouraging coexistence.

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Management-Induced Niche Shift? The Activity of Cheetahs in the Presence of Lions

Cited by 11 publications

References 45 publications

Spatiotemporal sharing and partitioning of scent‐marking sites by cheetahs and leopards in north‐central Namibia

Spatiotemporal sharing and partitioning of scent‐marking sites by cheetahs and leopards in north‐central Namibia

Niche overlap and dietary resource partitioning in an African large carnivore guild

Cheetahs Race for Survival: Ecology and Conservation

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