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

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dc.contributor.author Hunter, Luke T.B.
dc.contributor.author Pretorius, K.
dc.contributor.author Carlisle, L.C.
dc.contributor.author Rickelton, M.
dc.contributor.author Walker, C.
dc.contributor.author Slotow, Robert
dc.contributor.author Skinner, J.D. (John Dawson), 1932-
dc.date.accessioned 2008-06-13T07:24:41Z
dc.date.available 2008-06-13T07:24:41Z
dc.date.issued 2007-04
dc.description.abstract 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. en
dc.description.sponsorship This research was funded by CC Africa, the IUCN Cat Specialist Group, a Pittsburgh Zoo Conservation Fund Award, a University of Pretoria Research Assistantship (to LTBH) and grants from the Foundation for Research Development and W.H. Craib Memorial Trust (to JDS). en
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dc.identifier.citation Hunter, LTB, Pretorius, K, Carlisle, LC, Rickelton, M, Walker, C, Slotow, R & Skinner, JD 2007 ‘Restoring lions Panthera leo to northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa : short-term biological and technical success but equivocal long-term conservation’, Oryx, vol. 41, no. 2, pp. 196-204. [http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayJournal?jid=ORX] en
dc.identifier.issn 0030-6053
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/2263/5907
dc.language.iso en en
dc.publisher Cambridge University Press en
dc.rights Cambridge University Press en
dc.subject KwaZulu-Natal en
dc.subject Phinda en
dc.subject Panthera leo en
dc.subject Lion en
dc.subject South Africa en
dc.subject Species restoration en
dc.subject.lcsh Lions -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal en
dc.subject.lcsh Felidae -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal en
dc.subject.lcsh Wildlife reintroduction -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal en
dc.subject.other Veterinary science articles SDG-15
dc.subject.other SDG-15: Life on land
dc.title Restoring lions Panthera leo to northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa : short-term biological and technical success but equivocal long-term conservation en
dc.type Postprint Article en


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