Lions in Kenya respond very differently to human land use, climate and conservation practices. That is the conclusion of thesis from Leiden biologist Monica Chege. A uniform approach is therefore insufficient. 'Effective conservation only works when management is tailored to local conditions and developed with and around local communities.'
In Kenya, lions are increasingly competing with humans for space, food and safety. Expanding agriculture, growing settlements and new infrastructure are shrinking and fragmenting their habitats. while declining numbers of wild prey lead to more attacks on livestock and conflicts with livestock owners.
A fragmented landscape of habitats
'Kenya has developed various strategies to protect habitats and promote human-lion coexistence,' says PhD candidate Monica Chege. 'But these one-size-fits-all measures do not sufficiently take into account the ecological, anthropogenic and genetics differences between populations.'
Kenya spans a wide range of climate zones and landscapes, from dry savannahs to wetter ecosystems. These habitats are spread across a fragmented network of national parks and reserves alongside community lands, group ranches, and private conservancies, each with its own rules and objectives. This mosaic leads to clear differences in behaviour, group formation, and population dynamics across the country.
A closer look at the populations
The researchers analysed DNA from lions across all these different habitats. By combining genetic insights with data on group size, movement, and habitat use, they obtained a detailed picture of how lions respond to their environment.
The genetic analyses revealed that Kenya's lion populations are clearly divided into distinct groups and remain healthy, with no signs of inbreeding. At the same time, human-made barriers such as fences and other human activities influence lion genetic diversity, how lion groups are formed and how populations are distributed.
Problem lions cannot simply be relocated
Genetic differences between lion populations have direct implications for management actions, such as relocating 'problem lions' that come into conflict with people. Promoter Hans de Iongh explains: 'Lions released into other areas often differ genetically from the local populations, which is why such relocations are frequently unsuccessful.'
Human and nature shape lion movements and behaviour
The researchers observed that group size varied considerably between landscapes and management types. Near human settlements, lions tend to live in smaller groups, whereas larger groups are more common near water sources. 'This shows that human activity at the edges of lion habitats affects their behavior,' says supervisor Geert de Snoo.
Natural processes also play an important role. In unfenced areas, the researchers found that lions travel greater distances during periods of higher rainfall and sometimes expand their range beyond park boundaries. De Iongh: 'Rain causes prey animals to spread out, and the lions follow suit.'
This has important implications for conservation, as roaming lions are more likely to move outside protected areas. 'Lions adjust their movements not only in response to human activity but also to ecological variation,' says Chege. 'This needs to be taken into account in future management.'
Engaging communities and custom solutions
'To protect lions in a sustainable and effective way, collaboration with local communities is crucial,' says Chege. 'Their knowledge and involvement can help reduce conflicts. When communities also share in the benefits of conservation, such as tourism, support for protection increases. In our research, for example, we observed larger lion groups in community-managed reserves. It's a win-win for both people and lions!'
Connecting habitats through buffer zones and ecological corridors helps maintain populations and natural interactions. This supports not only the conservation of lions but also that of their prey and the entire ecosystem they inhabit. Chege: 'Furthermore, we should create collaborative, landscape-scale lion conservation units that connect government-protected areas with community conservancies, private conservation areas, and group ranches,' Chege adds.
'Sustainable lion conservation requires tailored solutions,' Chege concludes. 'Only by taking into account the unique ecology, human land use, and climate of each area can we protect lions effectively.'
Thesis and promotion
Monica Chege will defend her PhD thesis, titled Conservation and Management of Lions in Kenya: An Assessment of Factors Influencing African Lion (Panthera leo melanochaita Hamilton Smith 1842) Population Dynamics, on 14 January at the Academy Building.
Chege's supervisors are Professor Hans de Iongh and Professor Geert de Snoo. Co-supervisor is Dr. Laura Bertola.
