Connectivity of lions (Panthera leo) across a pastoralist landscape : coexistence, conflict, and collective action for lion conservation in Ngorongoro, Tanzania

Lions in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) exhibit limited genetic diversity and restricted gene flow, with Crater lions showing signs of inbreeding and isolation. While they disperse across the landscape, natural prey scarcity leads to livestock predation, causing economic losses and retaliatory killings. Genetic analysis reveals that Crater-born males dominate, exacerbating population fragmentation. The study highlights the urgent need for sustainable coexistence strategies, including community-driven initiatives and effective conflict management, to secure the future of both lions and local pastoralist communities amid growing pressures from climate change and resource demands.

Jansson, I. (2024). Connectivity of lions (Panthera leo) across a pastoralist landscape : coexistence, conflict, and collective action for lion conservation in Ngorongoro, Tanzania. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae Sueciae. https://doi.org/10.54612/a.2qerlptar8