Gonarezhou National Park
Predator Project
2011
Gonarezhou National Park is 5000Km2 park Located in the Lowveld in Zimbabwe and holds a key position within the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA).
In recent investigation into the status of lions (Panthera leo) and African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) in Gonarezhou National Park indicate that both are present only at low densities. Whilst it seems this has always been the case for wild dogs, lion populations appear to have decreased considerably in the past 20 years. Anecdotal evidence from the mid--late 1980s suggests that there were probably at least 100 lions in the park. One pride alone, living in the vicinity of Chilojo camp between 1985 and 1987 numbered 20- ‐25 individuals (C. Stockil, pers. comm.). In addition, there were known to be several male coalitions around the same area and a good population of lions in the Bopomela area as well. It is reasonable to expect that the less frequented areas of the park also hosted healthy lion populations at this time. During the drought in 1992, lion populations seemed to reach a peak, after which they have declined to their current low population estimate of 23- ‐30 south of the Runde River (Groom 2009). Wild dogs are currently estimated to number around 23 individuals in two to three packs (Groom 2009). There is little information about the status of wild dogs in the park prior to recent surveys, but the little available data suggests low densities are the norm. For example 1999 gave evidence of only one transient pack in the south of the park (A. Pole, pers. comm.), and tourist sightings are infrequent.
Understanding the forces which keep wild dog populations so low and which have decreased the lion population so considerably in the past 20 years is extremely important. The potential for the park to be a stronghold for the larger carnivores is good but there seem to be factors in play keeping populations low. Understanding these factors can help guide management practices to mitigate certain threats and encourage growth of the lion and wild dog populations. Possible causes of decline in large carnivore populations include natural causes such as disease, inter- ‐ specific competition and low prey densities, as well as human factors such as over- ‐hunting, off- ‐takes for roblem animal control, snaring and poisoning. Given that Gonarezhou is a National Park, there is no legal hunting within its borders, but hunting concessions lie along the boundary and probably shoot lions that originate from the park.
All possible causes of the decline in the lion population, and possible reasons for the maintenance of wild dogs at such low population densities will be investigated. Wild dogs are listed as Endangered, with a decreasing population trend,
on the IUCN Red List (EN C2a(i) 2004) (IUCN 2004). Lions are currently listed as vulnerable (IUCN 2004), and there is a motion to put them on CITES Appendix 1 due to concerns regarding population decline. Although it is illegal in Zimbabwe to kill wild dogs, lions are currently considered trophy animals and a hunting quota for lions is issued each year. Hunting operators around the Gonarezhou National Park apply for a lion quota, based in part on the number of lions believed to be in the park and, if the quota is issued, these lions can be legally shot on the boundary of the park during the hunting season. In addition, there are hunting concessions along this boundary as well.
The current perception amongst hunting operators around the park is that there are around 500 lions within Gonarezhou (C.Stockil, pers. comm.). Recent estimates, based on a single spoor survey and expert opinion, put the figure at considerably lower; less than 50 lions throughout the park. Getting a more accurate idea of lion numbers in the park is therefore important in order to be able to advise on suitable and sustainable quotas in surrounding areas, in order to prevent over- ‐shooting of lions.
Additionally, if the cause of such low population densities (for both wild dogs and lions) is due to disease, snaring, or PAC certain interventions may be necessary, and it is important that these are based on reliable information and that the impact of any intervention can be monitored. Both African wild dogs and lions are key tourist species. Boosting their numbers within the park will therefore not only be beneficial for conservation of the species, but should ultimately help to increase visitor numbers to the park, and thus wildlife- ‐based revenue for Zimbabwe.
Our overall goal is to investigate the reasons for the low lion and wild dog population densities within Gonarezhou National Park and to suggest ways to increase the populations of these carnivores.
Proposal by African Wildlife Conservation Fund
Dr Rosemary Groom October 2009
Predator Project
2011
Gonarezhou National Park is 5000Km2 park Located in the Lowveld in Zimbabwe and holds a key position within the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA).
In recent investigation into the status of lions (Panthera leo) and African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) in Gonarezhou National Park indicate that both are present only at low densities. Whilst it seems this has always been the case for wild dogs, lion populations appear to have decreased considerably in the past 20 years. Anecdotal evidence from the mid--late 1980s suggests that there were probably at least 100 lions in the park. One pride alone, living in the vicinity of Chilojo camp between 1985 and 1987 numbered 20- ‐25 individuals (C. Stockil, pers. comm.). In addition, there were known to be several male coalitions around the same area and a good population of lions in the Bopomela area as well. It is reasonable to expect that the less frequented areas of the park also hosted healthy lion populations at this time. During the drought in 1992, lion populations seemed to reach a peak, after which they have declined to their current low population estimate of 23- ‐30 south of the Runde River (Groom 2009). Wild dogs are currently estimated to number around 23 individuals in two to three packs (Groom 2009). There is little information about the status of wild dogs in the park prior to recent surveys, but the little available data suggests low densities are the norm. For example 1999 gave evidence of only one transient pack in the south of the park (A. Pole, pers. comm.), and tourist sightings are infrequent.
Understanding the forces which keep wild dog populations so low and which have decreased the lion population so considerably in the past 20 years is extremely important. The potential for the park to be a stronghold for the larger carnivores is good but there seem to be factors in play keeping populations low. Understanding these factors can help guide management practices to mitigate certain threats and encourage growth of the lion and wild dog populations. Possible causes of decline in large carnivore populations include natural causes such as disease, inter- ‐ specific competition and low prey densities, as well as human factors such as over- ‐hunting, off- ‐takes for roblem animal control, snaring and poisoning. Given that Gonarezhou is a National Park, there is no legal hunting within its borders, but hunting concessions lie along the boundary and probably shoot lions that originate from the park.
All possible causes of the decline in the lion population, and possible reasons for the maintenance of wild dogs at such low population densities will be investigated. Wild dogs are listed as Endangered, with a decreasing population trend,
on the IUCN Red List (EN C2a(i) 2004) (IUCN 2004). Lions are currently listed as vulnerable (IUCN 2004), and there is a motion to put them on CITES Appendix 1 due to concerns regarding population decline. Although it is illegal in Zimbabwe to kill wild dogs, lions are currently considered trophy animals and a hunting quota for lions is issued each year. Hunting operators around the Gonarezhou National Park apply for a lion quota, based in part on the number of lions believed to be in the park and, if the quota is issued, these lions can be legally shot on the boundary of the park during the hunting season. In addition, there are hunting concessions along this boundary as well.
The current perception amongst hunting operators around the park is that there are around 500 lions within Gonarezhou (C.Stockil, pers. comm.). Recent estimates, based on a single spoor survey and expert opinion, put the figure at considerably lower; less than 50 lions throughout the park. Getting a more accurate idea of lion numbers in the park is therefore important in order to be able to advise on suitable and sustainable quotas in surrounding areas, in order to prevent over- ‐shooting of lions.
Additionally, if the cause of such low population densities (for both wild dogs and lions) is due to disease, snaring, or PAC certain interventions may be necessary, and it is important that these are based on reliable information and that the impact of any intervention can be monitored. Both African wild dogs and lions are key tourist species. Boosting their numbers within the park will therefore not only be beneficial for conservation of the species, but should ultimately help to increase visitor numbers to the park, and thus wildlife- ‐based revenue for Zimbabwe.
Our overall goal is to investigate the reasons for the low lion and wild dog population densities within Gonarezhou National Park and to suggest ways to increase the populations of these carnivores.
Proposal by African Wildlife Conservation Fund
Dr Rosemary Groom October 2009