Author(s)

Michael H. Kimaro^1,2*, Hillary T. Mrosso², Simon J. Chidodo², Nyemo A. Chilagane², Fenrick F. Msigwa², George B. Bulenga², Rose P. Kicheleri^2,3, Charles P. Mgeni^2,4, Rajabu J. Kangile^2,4, Elisante A. Kimambo², Courtney Hughes^2,5, Camille Warbington^2,5, Helen Mchaki⁶, Daniel Mathayo⁶, Halima R. Kiwango⁶

¹GELIFES Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.
²Tanzania Research and Conservation Organization, Morogoro, Tanzania.
³CFWT College, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania.
⁴SAEBS College, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania.
⁵University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada.
⁶Conservation Science Department, Ruaha National Park, Iringa, Tanzania.

Tanzania is considered a country with the largest number of African lions (Panthera leo). However, the continued absence of ecological population estimates and understanding of the associated factors influencing lion distribution hinders the development of conservation planning. This is particularly true in the Ruaha-Rungwa landscape, where it was estimated that more than 10% of the global lion population currently resides. By using a call-back survey method, we aimed to provide population estimates (population size and density) of African lions in the Ruaha National Park, between wet (March 2019) and dry (October 2019) seasons. We also assessed the key factors that influenced the distribution of the observed lions towards call-back stations. Ferreira & Funston’s (2010) formula was used to calculate population size and in turn used to estimate density in the sampled area, while the Generalized Linear Model (GLMM) with zero-inflated Poisson error distribution was used to determine factors that influence the distribution of the observed lions to call-back stations. The population size we calculated for the sampled area of 3137.2 km² revealed 286 lions (95% CI, 236 - 335) during the wet season, and 196 lions (95% CI, 192 - 200) during the dry season. The density of lions was 9.1/100 km² during the wet season, and 6.3/100 km² during the dry season. Distance to water source had a significant negative effect on the distribution of the observed lions to the call-back stations, while habitat had a marginal effect. Our findings show that, although lion population estimates were larger during the wet season than the dry season, the season had no effect on the distribution of the observed lions to call-back stations. We suggest that the proximity to water sources is important in study design. Further, we suggest that density and population size are useful indices in identifying conservation area priorities and lion coexistence strategies.

Population Size, Density Estimate, Call-Back Survey, African Lion, Conservation

Kimaro, M. , Mrosso, H. , Chidodo, S. , Chilagane, N. , Msigwa, F. , Bulenga, G. , Kicheleri, R. , Mgeni, C. , Kangile, R. , Kimambo, E. , Hughes, C. , Warbington, C. , Mchaki, H. , Mathayo, D. and Kiwango, H. (2022) African Lion Population Estimates in Tanzania’s Ruaha National Park. Open Journal of Ecology, 12, 558-569. doi: 10.4236/oje.2022.128031.