Lion (Panthera leo) ecology and survival in protected areas of Ethiopia

Abstract

Ethiopia is renowned for its cultural and biological diversity and covers an important share of lion habitat in Africa, providing connectivity between East and Central Africa. The aim of this study was to investigate the status of lions and human–lion conflict in several protected areas of Ethiopia and to present an overview on lion distribution nationally. We used call-ups and semi-structured interviews with 809 randomly selected pastoralists to investigate human–lion conflict and pastoralist perceptions towards lions in five priority sites and collected further anecdotal information for all other known or possible lion range. We had chance encounters with six lions, but we observed no lion responses to the call-ups. We recorded 145 spotted hyaena and 23 jackal responses at, respectively, 25 and 13 of the 46 call-up stations. Overall, respondents viewed lions as dangerous carnivores, but nonetheless responded that lions should be present regionally, preferably in restricted areas. Most respondents disagreed that the killing of lions should be allowed, but we note that a small minority strongly agreed to killing. A large majority of respondents agreed that more people need to be given information about lions. Respondents mentioned spotted hyaena and leopard as the main predators on all livestock followed by jackal (shoats) and lion (mainly cattle). The impact of depredation on livestock mortality was nearly twice that of disease. Our results strongly suggest that lion densities are low and may have substantially decreased in Awash, Nechisar, Chebera-Churchura, and Mago National Parks and in Kaffa Biosphere Reserve due to conflict, habitat loss and especially ineffective protection. Anecdotal information suggests that lions are widespread but rare and that there is no stronghold in Ethiopia. Considering the unique evolutionary background of Ethiopia as the bridge between Central and East African lion populations, and the significant role of the lion in Ethiopian history and culture, we argue that more emphasis should be given to the protection of prioritized lion populations.

Large carnivore distribution, conflicts and threats in the east of the Somali region, Ethiopia

“…We do not know much depredation is thereby prevented, but where livestock are free-ranging and abundant, and carnivores are present, some degree of depredation is expected despite this mitigation. Although we have no data on respondents' livestock numbers and cannot calculate percentage losses, depredation reported by our respondents appears to be in the range of what has been reported elsewhere (Gebresenbet et al, 2017;Yirga et al, 2021).…”

“…We do not know much depredation is thereby prevented, but where livestock are free‐ranging and abundant, and carnivores are present, some degree of depredation is expected despite this mitigation. Although we have no data on respondents' livestock numbers and cannot calculate percentage losses, depredation reported by our respondents appears to be in the range of what has been reported elsewhere (Gebresenbet et al., 2017; Yirga et al., 2021). However, the quotes from our interviews clearly illustrate a distinction between positive attitudes towards wild herbivores and negative attitudes towards large carnivores, linked to losses that are considered intolerable.…”

“…Ethiopia has a complete carnivore guild, but for most species little has been published internationally on the current status of their populations. Notable exceptions are the work on the Ethiopian wolf Canis simensis (Haydon et al., 2006; Sillero‐Zubiri et al., 2016), spotted hyaena Crocuta crocuta (Yirga et al., 2017; Yirga, Ersino, et al., 2012) and lion Panthera leo (Gebresenbet et al., 2018; Gebretensae & Kebede, 2022; Yirga et al., 2021). The ecology of cheetah Acinonyx jubatus , leopard Panthera pardus and wild dog Lycaon pictus have not been investigated in Ethiopia, but savannah habitats in the South of Ethiopia are considered suitable habitat (EWCA, 2012).…”

Review of the status of African lion (Panthera leo) in Ethiopia

“…The lion is classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened species, with their range reduced by 8% of historical range (Bauer et al, 2015). The leading causes of their continent-wide decline are indiscriminate killing (often related to conflict), habitat *Population extrapolated from the density 1-2 lions per 100 km 2 (current estimates made using the extrapolation adopted by Bauer and Van Der Merwe (2004), estimates made by Riggio et al (2013), Bauer and Rskay (2016) and Yirga et al (2021)). **Population extrapolated from medium density of 4-5 lions per 100 km 2 (Maokomo) and low density 1-2 lions per 100 km 2 (Bejemis and Dedessa) (based on reports of Yadeta and Hailu (2013), Wendim et al (2015) and Wendim (2018)).…”

“…However, the everincreasing human population, economic uncertainty, social and cultural disruption and the resulting ecological imbalance have adversely affected the wildlands of the country and even the formerly established protected areas are under increased anthropogenic pressure (Gebretensae et al, 2007;Gebresenbet et al, 2009;Yirga et al, 2017). As a result, significant lion populations and their suitable habitats in many of their former ranges in Ethiopia have declined over time Kebede and Gebretensae, 2018;Yirga et al, 2021).…”