Movement and activity of endangered Asiatic lions in relation to land‐use, season and group characteristics

Abstract

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.

Regional Sustainability through Dispersal and Corridor Use of Asiatic Lion Panthera leo persica in the Eastern Greater Gir Landscape

“…However, in the Bhavnagar district, the vidis (open thorn scrub or tropical savanna grasslands) are mainly inhabited by nilgai, chinkara (Gazella bennettii Sykes, 1831), and wild boar. At the same time, sambar, chital, and blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra Linnaeus, 1758) are negligible [29]. In our LULC categories, scrublands and grasslands fall under the natural vegetation class.…”

“…Asiatic lion home range size is a dynamic interplay between habitat and individual characteristics [28]. Prey abundance, prey distribution, water availability, and factors like sex, age, pride size, and social status influence how much space a lion needs to roam [29]. Typically, males dominate in terms of territory size and overlapping pride ranges [30,31].…”

“…Similarly, the female home range was 129 km 2 compared to 170 km 2 in the Girnar WLS. To delve deeper into movement patterns, Ram et al [29] radio-collared 22 individuals, revealing annual home ranges from 15 to 415 km 2 . This research highlights the diverse factors shaping how Asiatic lions navigate their environment.…”

Balancing conservation planning and mitigation: perspectives from a case study of the Asiatic lions

“…The landscape in which the Asiatic lion occurs consists predominantly of agriculture fields and patches of natural habitat each the subject of various legal and administrative regulationswith human habitations scattered within this matrix of land-uses. Patches of natural habitat act as stepping-stones, refuges, and passage for lion movement between the source habitat of the Gir PA and various sink habitats (Ram et al, 2022a;Ram et al, 2022b). For example, the GAC extending from the north-eastern boundary of the Gir PA is an important movement corridor for the expanding eastern subpopulation of lions, and currently accommodates nearly 60% of the lions surviving outside the Gir PA.…”

“…Thus, present land-uses, including expansive open areas, agriculture fields and natural patches, are compatible with lion survival (Ram et al, 2021;Ram et al, 2022a).…”