The response of lions (Panthera leo) to changes in prey abundance on an enclosed reserve in South Africa

摘要: Large mammalian carnivores place significant pressure on their prey populations and this is exacerbated within the fenced reserves of Africa. However, foraging theory predicts that diet switching by predators may mitigate pressure. In study, we use data collected between 2003 2007 from an enclosed system in Eastern Cape Province South Africa to examine response lions Panthera leo changes abundance two important species — kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros warthog Phacochoerus africanus. As relative war- thogs increased, number kills decreased signif- icantly, whereas became significantly more frequent. A similar pattern was observed for lion pref- erence switch also reflected a decrease mean mass. Our results suggest shift occurs change primarily increase numbers. Prey promote persis- tence predator-prey systems, which particularly impor- tant systems where natural immigration not possible. continued collection analysis long-term observational multipredator, multi- required facilitate full under- standing dynamics.