Lion Research in the Maasai Steppe

African lions and their continued survival are among today’s major international conservation issues. Scientists believe lion populations have declined from a high of 100,000 two decades ago to just 23,000 today. With intimate knowledge of the Maasai Steppe Heartland and its carnivores, AWF is overseeing extensive lion research, under the guidance of Bernard Kissui. This research project focuses on the demography of lions and human-lion conflicts in and around Tarangire National Park.

The Maasai Steppe Heartland is a migratory ecosystem with seasonal migration of prey. In response to this, lions move into and out of Tarangire National Park. However, during this period, lions frequently encounter pastoralists and livestock. Since 2003, the Tarangire Lion Research Project has been monitoring lions within a 2,000 square kilometer area. The number of lions is estimated between 150 to 200 lions among 10 prides. The project team has been able to attach six radio collars to an individual lion from each of the prides. The use of radio collars is important for obtaining accurate demographic information of the lions and seasonal range-use patterns, and in understanding human-lion conflicts in and around Tarangire National Park. Lions are individually identified using natural markings, specifically whisker spots, and acquired marks, such as ear notches, broken teeth or kinky tails.

This monitoring of lion populations in Maasai Steppe, based on individual recognition of lions and radio collars, is crucial as it provides information on lion population trends, mortality rates and recruitment, and makes it possible to identify critical habitat for lions in the ecosystem. Additionally, radio telemetry has been crucial to understanding the extent of human-lion conflicts in the Maasai Steppe.

Predator proof bomas:

The Tarangire Lion Project is working in 12 villages to research the human-lion conflicts in Monduli, Babati and Simanjiro Districts. These villages include Olasiti, Kakoi, Minjingu, Oltukai, Mswakini, Esilalei, Selela, Engaruka, Loiborsiret, Emboreet, Loiborsoit and Lolksale. The retaliatory killing of lions by pastoralists as a result of livestock predation is a serious threat to lion conservation in Maasai Steppe.

In response to these human-lion conflicts, this project introduced the use of chain-link fences to improve livestock security at homesteads. Sixty-four bomas have already been reinforced with chain-link fences under this plan. The fencing program is made possible by a cost-sharing plan where pastoralists contribute 50 percent of the costs towards purchasing the materials necessary for reinforcing their bomas. AWF's Lion Research Project team then assists with the remaining half of the costs, transport of materials and construction of the fences. Each reinforced boma is paired with a nearby traditional boma, constructed with thorn bushes as a control, and both bomas are monitored on a monthly basis to collect information assessing the efficiency of the chain-link fences against lion predation. The use of chain-link fences has received a positive response by pastoral communities for their effectiveness against predation on livestock, and more households are interested in using this technique to improve livestock security.

The project team has also recruited an enumerator in all the villages to assist with collecting livestock predation data. With a better understanding of the nature and type of lion-human conflict, conservation efforts can be made more focused and effective.

The role of husbandry for livestock predation and security:

Since human-lion conflicts are a major threat to lion conservation due to the retaliatory killing of the lions, this project is implementing a study to understand how pastoral communities can engage in reducing the human-carnivore conflicts - by examining the role of livestock husbandry in reducing lions' livestock predation.

Husbandry techniques that are being assessed include those that are used to protect livestock in homesteads such as the type of enclosure and the use of domestic dogs. Other techniques that are being assessed include the challenges that livestock herders face in grazing fields, which put livestock at a greater risk.

Preliminary results of data suggest that the bomas reinforced with chain-link fences are more effective against livestock predation than traditional bomas made of thorn bushes. Herders' grazing their livestock in groups was found to be more effective for livestock protection in grazing fields than any other strategy. Yet, herding challenges that exposed livestock to predation included the seasonal nomadic lifestyle and long-distance travel by pastoral communities. Pastoral communities in the area are willing to continue to improve their livestock security through the use of chain-link fences and insurance schemes for livestock predation.

Findings from this study will provide a basis for understanding the consequences of human-lion interactions to people and to lions. The information will also be useful in assessing possibilities for alternative management strategies to determine the best use of dispersal areas around the park. With a better understanding of the nature and type of lion-human conflict, conservation efforts can be made more focused and effective.