Browsing by Author "Ikanda, Dennis Kyabwasi"

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    A study of the spatial dynamics and human interactions of african lions Panthera leo (L., 1758) in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania.
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2006) Ikanda, Dennis Kyabwasi
    The relative abundance and spatial distribution of African lions was examined in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), northern Tanzania. The impact of NCA Maasai pastoralists on the lions and the effect of depredation by lions and other large predators on the livelihoods of the Maasai were examined using direct field observations and Participatory Rural Appraisal between September 2001-August 2003. Lions are commonly known to occur in the Ngorongoro Crater (57 individuals living in six prides). This study revealed the presence of a minimum of 27 resident lions living elsewhere in the wider NCA. Group sizes were bigger in the Crater but showed no significant variation with the wider NCA lions. However, group compositions showed marked variation between the two areas-indicating less pride stability within the wider NCA lions. Lions in the wider NCA lived at much lower densities (approximately 0.006/km2) than in the Crater (0.23/km2). Depredation rates were highest (0.17 animals per month) during the dry season when the density of wild prey species reached it’s lowest (3.80 animals per km2). However, wildlife abundance and characteristics of bomas showed no significant relationships with depredation rates. Away from the boma there was a significant inverse relationship between depredation rates and ratios of herdsmen to herd size in shoats. Losses to depredation represented 7.95% [US $ 64 (Tsh 67,920)] and 31.1% [US $ 108.3 (Tsh 114, 828)] of total monetary values of herds in cattle and shoats in the monitored bomas. The Maasai and the wider NCA lions both negatively affected each other. The NCAA should work on strategies to reduce human-lion conflicts arising from Ala-mayo and livestock predation in order to insure greater survival of lions in the wider NCA.