Dissertation

Human-lion conflict around Nairobi national park

Large carnivore population is globally declining as a result of the fragmentation of habitat, large prey depletion and retaliatory killing by pastoralists.

Author: Lesilau, F.L.
Date: 04 December 2019
Links: Thesis in Leiden Repository

Large carnivore population is globally declining as a result of the fragmentation of habitat, large prey depletion and retaliatory killing by pastoralists. Despite Kenya declaring approximately 8 percent of the land as wildlife protected areas, there are less than 2000 lions left in the wild. This trend is worrying and Kenya Wildlife Service developed conserve and manage large carnivores’ strategy. This justify the reason for Nairobi Lion Research Project. Understanding the factors influencing human–lion conflicts would reduce retaliatory killing of lions and improve conservation of lions. Therefore, the aim of this study is to ensure conservation of lions in NNP and in the surrounding areas, specifically in relation to human–lion conflicts. It focuses on population size and pride structure, home ranges and movements, prey choice and diets and examine socio-economic aspects of lion–livestock conflicts and application of LED flashlights. I found that Nairobi National Park has high lion’s density per100 km2, small home range and avoid the urban fringe of Nairobi City. They supplement diet with very small prey (