Asiatic lion: a study of ecology and behaviour
Abstract
The primary aims of this research were to investigate
the ecology and behaviour of the Asiatic lion (Panthera leo
persica), and to advise on ways of conserving it. The field
research was done between 1968-71 in and around the Gir Forest
Wildlife Sanctuary in western India, where the lions are now
restricted. The main studies were of the habitat, availa-
: bility of wild and domestic prey, food habits based on
faecal analysis, lion predation on domestic stock, the
inter-relations between lions and people living in the
area, lion population dynamics and general behaviour. This
research was part of a larger enterprise involving the total
ecology of the sanctuary.
Evidence for a decline in lion numbers in the recent
past has been largely associated with a decrease outside
the sanctuary boundaries, where conditions are now so poor
that survival is difficult. Oblique aerial photographs
showed that most of the original forest has been cleared,
and that the landscape is dominated by cultivation with few
prey. The human population is rapidly expanding, and
outside the sanctuary little can be done to stabilise or
improve conditions for lions, since further land development
seems inevitable. For these reasons conservation within
the sanctuary is vital.
Here conditions were much better, but there is cause
for concern. Less than six percent of the land was cultivated,
but more was being cleared. Based on sample counts,
an estimated 44,000 domestic stock but only 5600 wild
ungulates lived or grazed within the sanctuary. Analysis
of lion faeces collected throughout the sanctuary showed
that about 75% of the lion's diet was domestic stock,
reflecting its great availability. Study of several hundred
kills of domestic stock revealed that catching prey and
feeding was difficult. At night, lions ate nothing from
41%9 of domestic animals killed, largely because they were
driven away after making kills inside villages. In day
time, lions were usually able to eat something, but also
lost substantial amounts. More than half of all kills
investigated were scavenged by hide collectors. The
thesis includes several recommendations to improve the
management of the lions while interfering minimally with
the ecology of the people.
Five estimates of the lion population size were made,
averaging 190 and ranging between 100-250. Three indices
of lion abundance were prepared for future use in assessing
trends. These easily repeatable methods involved few
assumptions and did not depend upon making calculations
of the actual population size. A behavioural inventory
of the lion is also outlined which reviews postures and
attitudes, social interaction within the pride, advertisement,
prey catching and feeding.