Browsing by Author "Felix, Nancy"

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Effect of retaliatory killing on African lion coalitions in Tarangire-Manyara ecosystem, Tanzania
(2023-08) Felix, Nancy
In landscapes where people and lions coexist, conflicts are common due to livestock predation and threats to human safety. Retaliatory lion killing by humans is often a consequence of such conflicts. In Tarangire-Manyara Ecosystem (TME) lion population are threatened by retaliatory killing, but little is known how retaliatory killing affects lion social structure, particularly male coalitions. Fourteen years dataset of lion monitoring was used to map the spatial-temporal dynamics of male coalition. Lion killing data was used to assess the effects of retaliatory lion killing on the male coalitions for ten prides. Interviews on two hundred and fourteen respondents was used to assess the attitudes and awareness of the community on effects of retaliatory killing to lions. Lion coalitions were found larger and lasted for a longer tenure period in low-risk areas of retaliatory killing, and far from active hunting blocks. Twelves lions were killed for livestock loss, while fifteen attempts of lion killing were prevented. Attitude towards lion existence and conservation was positive for young people (18-35 years) compared to older age class. People with primary or secondary level of education were more likely to have lions killed if they attack livestock compared to people with no formal education. Community attitude on retaliation effect varied widely, as people perceptions depends on benefits/losses they incurred. This study showed retaliatory killing negatively affects long-term lion coalition and population. Also, recommends implementing better education programs and participatory conservation activities to protect the declining lion populations.
Retaliatory killing negatively affects African lion (Panthera leo) male coalitions in the Tarangire-Manyara Ecosystem, Tanzania
(PLOS ONE, 2022-08-31) Felix, Nancy; Kissui, Bernard; Munishi, Linus; Treydte, Anna
In landscapes where people and lions coexist, conflicts are common due to livestock preda- tion and threats to human safety. Retaliatory lion killing by humans is often a consequence and is one of the leading causes of lion population declines across Africa. We assessed the effects of retaliatory lion killing on male lion coalitions in the Tarangire-Manyara Ecosystem (TME) using a long-term dataset of lion monitoring for ten lion prides, spanning over a four- teen year-period from 2004–2018. We also interviewed 214 respondents about their atti- tudes and awareness of the effects of retaliatory killing on lions. We found that male lion coalitions were larger and lasted for a longer tenure period in locations with low risk of retal- iatory killing, as well as far away from active hunting blocks. Further, young people (18–35 years old) had a more positive attitude towards lion existence and conservation compared to older age classes. Surprisingly, people with primary or secondary level of education were more likely to having lions killed if they attack livestock compared to people with no formal education, although the former supported lion presence for tourism in protected areas. We conclude that retaliatory killing has a large effect on long-term lion coalition dynamics and, thus, survival. Community awareness on retaliation effect varies widely, and we recommend implementing better education and policy strategies at TME to protect the declining carni- vore populations.