Lion predation in relation to landscape features in Tarangire national park

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dc.contributor.authorMinja, Dennis
dc.date.accessioned2026-03-30T15:32:13Z
dc.date.available2026-03-30T15:32:13Z
dc.date.issued2011
dc.descriptionMasters Theses
dc.description.abstractThis study aimed at assessing the relationship between lion predation and landscape features to test whether existing evidence from other studies elsewhere applied for Tarangirc lions given the uneven terrain in Tarangirc National Park. From a four-ycar data set (July 2005 to October 2009) of lion sightings, predation dataset were extracted and supplemented with data collected during this study, making a total of 133 carcasses. Radio telemetry was used to track lion prides from 6.00 am to 7.00 pm daily, and the list of prey having at least one carcass for the entire period of data collection in the study area was compiled. The standardized selection ratios (Bz) were computed to determine lion prey species preference. Also, Geographical Information System (G1S) in Arc Map 9.2 (ESRI) was used to create layers of drainage pattern, roads, vegetation cover, aspect, slope and swamps. Logistic regression analysis and Akaike Information Criteria were employed to associate lion predation and landscape features. Of 133 carcasses for both dry and wet seasons, only one hundred and twenty one (121) prey carcasses comprised of zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, giraffe and warthog were considered for species preference. Consequently, the standardized selection ratios (Bz) suggests that in both wet and dry seasons lions selected warthogs and buffalo compared to their and other key prey species abundance. However giraffe kills were made only during wet season with none in dry season. Logistic regression analysis showed that the best model with the highest Akaike weight, (ioi=0.357) containing predictors distance to river confluences, elevation. vegetation types and road for predicting the influence of landscape features on lion predation. Subsequently, the analysis of parameter estimates for the best model indicated the effects of roads, river confluences, vegetative cover and elevation to be most significant, whereas aspect and slope had weak effect on lion predation
dc.description.sponsorshipParents and mama Flora Kawa
dc.identifier.urihttps://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/20.500.14820/7470
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherSokoine University of Agriculture
dc.subjectLions-Behavior
dc.subjectLions-Food
dc.subjectPredation
dc.subjectPredator-prey relationships
dc.subjectTarangire National Park
dc.subjectWildlife conservation-Tanzania
dc.titleLion predation in relation to landscape features in Tarangire national park
dc.typeThesis

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