Reproductive strategy and behaviour of male Asiatic Lions.

Abstract

The field study was carried out from April 2002 to February 2007 and the intensive study area covered 1075 km2 area of the Gir PA including Sanctuary West and National Park. i) Demographic changes in the Gir lion population were monitored using individual identification profiles for a period of four years. Lion population was estimated using mark-recapture models. Movement patterns, spacing mechanisms and land tenure system of four females (one radio-collared female), five adult males (two radio-collared males) and one subadult male (radio-collared) were obtained. Of these, seven individuals were monitored from 2002–2007. Lion diet was assessed both by intensive search across the study area and record of lion kills as well as analysis of scat. A questionnaire survey was conducted in twenty nesses that included seven nesses in central Gir and thirteen nesses in Gir-west to assess the livestock holding and causes of livestock mortality. Inter-kill intervals were obtained from direct observation of radio-collared lions.