Martin, Emanuel H. (2009) Understanding the Factors Responsible for the Absence of African Lion (Panthera Leo) in Arusha National Park, Tanzania. Masters thesis, University of Klagenfurt.
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Abstract
African lion is the largest cat found in Africa. As one of the top predators and its important role of regulating the population of large herbivores, lion has been considered as a keystone species in balancing the ecosystem. The species is categorized as vulnerable by the IUCN red list of threatened species of the world. Its preferred habitat includes open grassland, savanna woodland, thick shrubs and dry forest. Due to habitat loss, shrinking prey population and direct persecution its population has decreased dramatically in Africa. In Arusha National Park, which is situated in the northern part of Tanzania near the fast growing and densely populated city of Arusha, lions’ sightings have been recorded periodically since its establishment in 1960. The first time was in 1972 and the second time was in the period between 1997 and 1998 in various sections of the park. Despite the fact that, the park has stable potential prey populations for lion such as buffalo, zebra, waterbuck and giraffe and is linked to other parks such as Amboseli National Park in Kenya and Kilimanjaro National Park in Tanzania through migratory corridors, lion’s sightings inside the park has never been recorded again since 1998. To find out which factors are responsible for that, this research was carried out. Data were collected by using various methods which included direct field observations, seeking opinions from the experts who are knowledgeable with the ecosystem of the study area and have experience on working with lions as well as interviewing villagers living adjacent to the park. However, the research was limited by a number of factors such as delay in obtaining the research permit from relevant authorities in Tanzania, cancellations of some meetings with villagers and existing tension between the park management and some neighboring villages. Based on the field observations, interviews with the locals and experts’ opinions, it became clear that increased human population around the park is the leading factor followed by blockage of migratory corridors linking the park and other ecosystem. Currently, the research revealed, the existing corridors are threatened by increasing human activities such charcoal burning, livestock keeping and farming practices. The third factor is unsuitable habitat for lions inside the park which is mountainous in nature and dominated by thick forest whereas human-wildlife conflicts and poaching factors were ranked fourth and fifth positions respectively. The absence of lions in the park saw spotted hyena dominating the role of top predator in regulating the population of large herbivores in the park. For example most of the buffalo carcasses inside the park were results of hyena killings. At the same time resident animals such as buffalo, giraffe and waterbuck appeared to be very relaxed even when approached within close proximity on foot, suggesting that there are little or no potential dangers to them. Apart from letting nature take its course and maintaining the current migratory corridors, the park has no specific intention of creating conducive environment or introducing lions inside the park. In order to mitigate the problem, among others it is recommended that: The central government in collaboration with other stakeholders needs to address the issue of increasing human population and its impact on the biodiversity; All the existing migratory corridors need to be secured by the park through all legal procedures and human activities found therein must be monitored or stopped; The park should leave nature to take its course for the habitat of the park; Financial assistance and training should be given to the locals for building predator proof kraals in order to prevent their livestock from potential raids of lions; The park through its outreach program should provide environmental education in order to raise public awareness to the local communities on the importance of conserving wildlife; The park through its Anti-poaching unit should partner with locals in an effort to curb poaching activities inside the park and; the Problem Animal Control (PAC) unit in each district need to be strengthened and provided with all necessary equipment in order to respond timely to any reported animal raid.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology |
| Divisions: | Africana |
| Depositing User: | JHI Africa |
| Date Deposited: | 23 Jun 2015 09:43 |
| Last Modified: | 22 Feb 2018 11:17 |
| URI: | http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/210 |
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