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Understanding patch departure rules for large carnivores: lion movements support a patch-disturbance hypothesis
Marion Valeix1, Simon Chamaillé-Jammes, Andrew J Loveridge
1Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney House, Abingdon Road, Tubney OX13 5QL, United Kingdom. mvaleix@yahoo.fr
The American Naturalist
|July 14, 2011
Summary
Large carnivores, like African lions, typically leave hunting areas after a successful kill. This behavior supports the patch-disturbance hypothesis, suggesting prey responses drive predator movement.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Animal Behavior
- Wildlife Science
Background:
- Large mammalian carnivores exhibit complex movement patterns after hunting.
- Understanding patch departure is crucial for predator-prey dynamics and conservation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the drivers of patch departure in large mammalian carnivores.
- To differentiate between the unsuccessful-hunt and patch-disturbance hypotheses.
Main Methods:
- Utilized global positioning system (GPS) collars to track African lion movements.
- Identified kill sites to correlate hunting success with subsequent departure behavior.
Main Results:
- African lions (Panthera leo) relocated at least 5 km from kill sites in 87% of observed instances.
- Departure behavior was consistent across successful hunts, not unsuccessful ones.
Conclusions:
- The study provides strong support for the patch-disturbance hypothesis.
- Prey behavioral responses to predator presence likely influence large carnivore patch departure.
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