Demographic structure and abundance of Asiatic lions Panthera leo persica in Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat, India

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2010
Authors:Banerjee, K, Jhala, YV, Pathak, B
Journal:Oryx
Volume:44
Pagination:248-251
Date Published:2010
Keywords:Panthera leo
Abstract:

Asiatic lions Panthera leo persica, once confined to the 1,883 km 2 Gir Protected Area in Gujarat, India, have in the past 2 decades colonized the adjacent Girnar forest, coastal scrub and agro-pastoral areas covering c. 10,000 km2. In May 2008 the Government of Gujarat declared 180 km2 of the sacred Girnar forests a Wildlife Sanctuary. We obtained data on location, age, gender and group composition of lions in Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary from opportunistic sightings during March-May 2008 and from systematic surveys in April 2008 (six surveys of 3-4 days each), totalling 81 lions on 40 occasions. Of the 81 sightings 43% were in the recruitment age group. Adult sex ratio was 0.87 males : 1 female. In the systematic survey we made 26 sightings of nine individuals, identified from their vibrissae patterns and permanent body markings, and used these for population estimation using a capture-recapture analysis. The population estimate using the best fit null model Mo was 10 ± SE 1.2 giving an adult lion density of 5.6 ± SE 0.7 per 100 km2. Population viability analysis emphasized the importance of immigrants for the persistence of this small population. One immigrant in 2 years reduced the probability of extinction by 16%. Conservation of the habitat matrix to the south-east of the Sanctuary, used as a corridor for movement between Girnar and Gir, by declaring it an eco-sensitive zone would facilitate the long-term survival of the Girnar lion population. Copyright © 2010 Fauna & Flora International.

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