Restoring lions Panthera leo to northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: short-term biological and technical success but equivocal long-term conservation

The success of efforts to re-establish mammalian carnivores within their former range is dependent on three key factors: methodological considerations, the biological requirements of the target species, and the involvement of local human communities for whom large carnivores pose a threat. We consid...

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Veröffentlicht in:Oryx Jg. 41; H. 2; S. 196 - 204
Hauptverfasser: Hunter, L.T.B., Pretorius, K., Carlisle, L. C., Rickelton, M., Walker, C., Slotow, R., Skinner, J. D.
Format: Journal Article
Sprache:Englisch
Veröffentlicht: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.04.2007
Schlagworte:
Acclimatization
Animal populations
Carnivores
KwaZulu-Natal
lion
National parks
Panthera leo
Phinda
Population growth
Reintroduction
South Africa
species restoration
Success
Wildlife conservation
United States > US
South Africa
species restoration
South Africa
Panthera leo
KwaZulu-Natal
Phinda
lion
ISSN:0030-6053, 1365-3008
Online-Zugang:Volltext
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Zusammenfassung:The success of efforts to re-establish mammalian carnivores within their former range is dependent on three key factors: methodological considerations, the biological requirements of the target species, and the involvement of local human communities for whom large carnivores pose a threat. We consider the role of these factors in the first 13 years of an effort to re-establish wild lions in northern KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. We employed soft-release methods to mitigate the characteristic problems associated with restoration of large carnivores. A pre-release captivity period facilitated acclimatization of reintroduced lions and promoted long-term bonding of unfamiliar individuals into cohesive groups. All individuals remained in the release area and established enduring, stable home ranges. Reintroduced lions successfully reproduced and raised 78% of their cubs to independence. Human activity was the cause of all post-release mortality. Despite rapid population growth and the re-establishment of the species at Phinda Private Game Reserve, the population is small and isolated with little prospect for re-colonizing additional areas where the species has been extirpated, or for connecting with other isolated lion populations in the region. Accordingly, although we essentially overcame the short-term technical and biological challenges facing lion reintroduction, the long-term value of the Phinda population for addressing the conservation issues facing the species remains equivocal.
Bibliographie:ArticleID:00172
PII:S003060530700172X
istex:CA237E0866DEACC5A5EAA06D2B150AC7DF04533C
ark:/67375/6GQ-P5WX4MXX-N
Also at: Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10460, USA.
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ISSN:0030-6053
1365-3008
DOI:10.1017/S003060530700172X