Leopard predation on gelada monkeys at Guassa, Ethiopia
Bing Lin1, Iris R Foxfoot2, Carrie M Miller3
1Woodrow Wilson School of Public & International Affairs, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey.
American Journal of Primatology
|January 30, 2020
Summary
Leopards (Panthera pardus) prey on geladas (Theropithecus gelada) in Ethiopian grasslands, often ambushing them in low-visibility areas. Geladas exhibit fear responses, fleeing to cliffs, especially in smaller herds.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Ethology
- Primatology
Background:
- Predation is a significant evolutionary driver of primate behavior and ecology.
- Studying predator-prey dynamics in primates is challenging due to infrequent observations.
- Leopards (Panthera pardus) are known predators, and geladas (Theropithecus gelada) are their potential prey.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document and analyze encounters between wild leopards and gelada herds.
- To understand gelada behavioral and ecological responses to leopard predation pressure.
- To compare gelada responses to leopards with other primate species and habitats.
Main Methods:
- Observation of seven encounters between lone leopards and gelada herds over six years.
- Recording of gelada behavioral responses, including alarm calls, proximity, and flight.
- Analysis of microhabitat characteristics during predation attempts and environmental factors like herd size.
Main Results:
- Three of seven encounters involved attempted leopard predation on geladas, with one successful kill.
- Leopard attacks occurred in low-visibility microhabitats offering ambush opportunities.
- Geladas consistently displayed fear responses: alarm calls, reduced interindividual distance, and flight to sleeping cliffs; no mobbing behavior was observed.
Conclusions:
- Gelada vulnerability to leopards is influenced by microhabitat visibility and herd size.
- Gelada behavioral responses, such as fleeing to cliffs, are key anti-predation strategies.
- Multilevel social systems may be an adaptive response to predation pressure from large carnivores in open habitats.
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