First insights into the spatio-temporal ecology of sympatric large carnivores in Niokolo-Koba National Park, Senegal
Large carnivores play a crucial role in their native ecosystems, but their populations are rapidly declining across the African continent. West Africa is no exception, with large protected areas often forming the last strongholds for these species. Little is known about the population status and eco...
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Cambridge University Press
2024-09-01
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| author | Robin Horion Zoe Woodgate Marine Drouilly |
| author_facet | Robin Horion Zoe Woodgate Marine Drouilly |
| author_sort | Robin Horion |
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| description | Large carnivores play a crucial role in their native ecosystems, but their populations are rapidly declining across the African continent. West Africa is no exception, with large protected areas often forming the last strongholds for these species. Little is known about the population status and ecology of large carnivores in the region, hampering the design and implementation of effective conservation strategies. We conducted a camera-trap survey during the dry season in Niokolo-Koba National Park, the largest terrestrial protected area in Senegal and the second largest in West Africa, to investigate the spatio-temporal ecology of the four large carnivores inhabiting the Park: the spotted hyaena Crocuta crocuta, leopard Panthera pardus, West African lion Panthera leo leo and African wild dog Lycaon pictus. Spotted hyaenas and leopards had the widest spatial distribution and highest probability of site use. Spotted hyaena site use was positively associated with leopard relative abundance index and negatively associated with normalized difference vegetation index, whereas only distance to the nearest road influenced leopard site use. Distance to the Gambian River was the most important covariate positively affecting site use by lions. African wild dog site use was negatively associated with the relative abundance indices of lions and leopards. Lions, spotted hyaenas and leopards showed strong overlap in their activity patterns. By providing new information on the ecology of large carnivores in West Africa, including where they range and which habitats are critical for their survival, our study will facilitate conservation planning. Our findings lay the foundations for future research to conserve these threatened species in West Africa effectively and to guide ranger patrol efforts, which are key for their long-term survival. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-07eed579e67148b3a0bed7ca870682cc |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0030-6053 1365-3008 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-09-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-07eed579e67148b3a0bed7ca870682cc2025-01-16T21:50:48ZengCambridge University PressOryx0030-60531365-30082024-09-015866467510.1017/S0030605323001746First insights into the spatio-temporal ecology of sympatric large carnivores in Niokolo-Koba National Park, SenegalRobin Horion0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1409-5675Zoe Woodgate1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0561-5157Marine Drouilly2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2793-4527Panthera, Tambacounda, SenegalInstitute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South AfricaPanthera, Tambacounda, Senegal Panthera, New York City, New York, USA Centre for Social Science Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South AfricaLarge carnivores play a crucial role in their native ecosystems, but their populations are rapidly declining across the African continent. West Africa is no exception, with large protected areas often forming the last strongholds for these species. Little is known about the population status and ecology of large carnivores in the region, hampering the design and implementation of effective conservation strategies. We conducted a camera-trap survey during the dry season in Niokolo-Koba National Park, the largest terrestrial protected area in Senegal and the second largest in West Africa, to investigate the spatio-temporal ecology of the four large carnivores inhabiting the Park: the spotted hyaena Crocuta crocuta, leopard Panthera pardus, West African lion Panthera leo leo and African wild dog Lycaon pictus. Spotted hyaenas and leopards had the widest spatial distribution and highest probability of site use. Spotted hyaena site use was positively associated with leopard relative abundance index and negatively associated with normalized difference vegetation index, whereas only distance to the nearest road influenced leopard site use. Distance to the Gambian River was the most important covariate positively affecting site use by lions. African wild dog site use was negatively associated with the relative abundance indices of lions and leopards. Lions, spotted hyaenas and leopards showed strong overlap in their activity patterns. By providing new information on the ecology of large carnivores in West Africa, including where they range and which habitats are critical for their survival, our study will facilitate conservation planning. Our findings lay the foundations for future research to conserve these threatened species in West Africa effectively and to guide ranger patrol efforts, which are key for their long-term survival.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0030605323001746/type/journal_articleActivity patternAfrican wild doglarge carnivoresleopardlionoccupancySenegalspotted hyaena |
| spellingShingle | Robin Horion Zoe Woodgate Marine Drouilly First insights into the spatio-temporal ecology of sympatric large carnivores in Niokolo-Koba National Park, Senegal Oryx Activity pattern African wild dog large carnivores leopard lion occupancy Senegal spotted hyaena |
| title | First insights into the spatio-temporal ecology of sympatric large carnivores in Niokolo-Koba National Park, Senegal |
| title_full | First insights into the spatio-temporal ecology of sympatric large carnivores in Niokolo-Koba National Park, Senegal |
| title_fullStr | First insights into the spatio-temporal ecology of sympatric large carnivores in Niokolo-Koba National Park, Senegal |
| title_full_unstemmed | First insights into the spatio-temporal ecology of sympatric large carnivores in Niokolo-Koba National Park, Senegal |
| title_short | First insights into the spatio-temporal ecology of sympatric large carnivores in Niokolo-Koba National Park, Senegal |
| title_sort | first insights into the spatio temporal ecology of sympatric large carnivores in niokolo koba national park senegal |
| topic | Activity pattern African wild dog large carnivores leopard lion occupancy Senegal spotted hyaena |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0030605323001746/type/journal_article |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT robinhorion firstinsightsintothespatiotemporalecologyofsympatriclargecarnivoresinniokolokobanationalparksenegal AT zoewoodgate firstinsightsintothespatiotemporalecologyofsympatriclargecarnivoresinniokolokobanationalparksenegal AT marinedrouilly firstinsightsintothespatiotemporalecologyofsympatriclargecarnivoresinniokolokobanationalparksenegal |