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The response of lions (Panthera leo) to changes in prey abundance on an enclosed reserve in South Africa

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Abstract

Large mammalian carnivores place significant pressure on their prey populations and this is exacerbated within the fenced reserves of Africa. However, foraging theory predicts that diet switching by predators may mitigate this pressure. In this study, we use data collected between 2003 and 2007 from an enclosed system in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa to examine the response of lions Panthera leo to changes in the abundance of two important prey species — kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros and warthog Phacochoerus africanus. As the relative abundance of warthogs increased, the number of kudu kills decreased significantly, whereas warthog kills became significantly more frequent. A similar pattern was observed for lion prey preference and the switch from kudu to warthog was also reflected in a significant decrease in the mean prey mass. Our results suggest that a diet shift occurs in lions and that the change in diet is primarily in response to an increase in warthog numbers. Prey switching may promote the persistence of predator–prey systems, which is particularly important for fenced systems where natural immigration of prey is not possible. However, continued collection and analysis of long-term observational data from the multipredator, multiprey systems of Africa is required to facilitate a full understanding of predator–prey dynamics.

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Acknowledgments

Our sincere thanks go to Angus Sholto-Douglas of Kwandwe Private Game Reserve for providing logistical and financial support for this project. We acknowledge the staff of Kwandwe for providing assistance and information. All experiments complied with the ethical protocols of Rhodes University and the laws of South Africa. Matt Hayward and two anonymous referees are thanked for constructive comments on earlier drafts of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wildlife and Reserve Management Research Group, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 6139, South Africa

    Charlene Bissett, Ric T. F. Bernard & Daniel M. Parker

  2. Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, Grahamstown, 6139, South Africa

    Charlene Bissett

Authors
  1. Charlene Bissett
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  2. Ric T. F. Bernard
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  3. Daniel M. Parker
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Correspondence to Charlene Bissett.

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Communicated by: Dries Kuiper

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Bissett, C., Bernard, R.T.F. & Parker, D.M. The response of lions (Panthera leo) to changes in prey abundance on an enclosed reserve in South Africa. Acta Theriol 57, 225–231 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13364-011-0071-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13364-011-0071-8

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