The use of contraceptive techniques in managed wild African lion (Panthera leo) populations to mimic open system cub recruitment
Orla K. McEvoy A * , Susan M. Miller
B P * , Warren Beets C , Tarik Bodasing D , Natalia Borrego E F G , André Burger H , Brian Courtenay I , Sam Ferreira J , Cathariné Hanekom K , Markus Hofmeyr L , Craig Packer F , Dave Robertson M , Ken Stratford N , Rob Slotow E and Dan M. Parker A O
A Wildlife and Reserve Management Research Group, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa.
B FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa.
C Thanda Safari, Hluhluwe, KwaZulu-Natal 3960, South Africa.
D North Wales Wildlife Trust, Llys Garth, Garth Road, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57, United Kingdom.
E School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 3209, South Africa.
F Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minnesota 55455, USA.
G American University Cairo, School of Science and Engineering, AUC Avenue, New Cairo 11835, Egypt.
H Welgevonden Game Reserve, Vaalwater 0530, South Africa.
I Southern African Conservation Trust Wildlife and Communities (SACT), Umhlanga Rocks 4320, South Africa.
J South African National Parks, Scientific Services, Skukuza 1350, South Africa.
K Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife, Cascades 3202, South Africa.
L Great Plains Conservation Foundation, Plot 526, Mophane Avenue, Maun, Botswana.
M African Parks, Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, Malawi.
N Ongava Research Centre, PO Box 640, Outjo 21005, Namibia.
O School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit 1200, South Africa.
P Corresponding author. Email: dangerousfrizbee@gmail.com
Wildlife Research 46(5) 398-408 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR18079
Submitted: 2 May 2018 Accepted: 1 April 2019 Published: 16 July 2019
Abstract
Context: Managed wild lions (Panthera leo) are lions found in smaller (<1000 km2), fenced protected areas that hold a substantial portion of South Africa’s wild lion population. Because the natural population control mechanisms are compromised within these properties, managers must actively control population growth rates. Fecundity control is used by wildlife managers, but long-term, empirical data on the impact and consequences of such interventions in lions are lacking.
Aims: The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of two methods of contraception (deslorelin implant and unilateral hysterectomy) in reducing cub recruitment of managed wild lions.
Methods: Survey data spanning 14 years from 94 managed wild lions on 19 protected areas were used to evaluate the effectiveness of deslorelin implant treatments and unilateral hysterectomies on population growth rates through mimicking open system cub recruitment.
Key results: Deslorelin implants were effective at increasing the age of first reproduction and lengthening inter-birth intervals. There was also an unexpected decrease in litter size. Behavioural side-effects were recorded in 40% of individuals: 19% pride fragmentation; 13% lack of receptiveness towards males; 8% other. The more successive deslorelin implants a lioness had, the more likely it was that weight gain was reported. Unilateral hysterectomy resulted in a decrease in litter size post-surgery, but this was not statistically significant. No behavioural or physiological side-effects were noted after unilateral hysterectomy.
Conclusions: Deslorelin treatment was more effective in reducing the reproductive output of managed wild lionesses than unilateral hysterectomy surgery. While more side-effects were associated with deslorelin implants than unilateral hysterectomies, a single deslorelin treatment is currently a good option for fecundity reduction. More research is required on unilateral hysterectomy surgery.
Implications: Neither deslorelin implants nor unilateral hysterectomies offer a ‘silver bullet’ solution for reducing rapid population growth in managed wild lions. Reproductive control should be integrated with other best-practice approaches.
Additional keywords: birth control, felid, population management, South Africa.
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