| dc.description.abstract | Over the years the cheetah population in Masai Mara National Reserve has declined and
this has been attributed to several factors. Key among them is the influence of other
predators like lions. leopards and hyenas, who have been observed to grab cheetah kills.
kill and inflict injuries on cheetahs and hence fundamentally influencing the species
survival and recruitment. This problem has been observed and repeatedly reported by
scientists, reserve managers and tour drivers.
In order to understand the influence of these competitors on cheetahs, this study was
initiated to investigate the interactions between them both inside and outside Masai Mara
National Reserve. Data were collected in pre-determined study blocks before and during
migration of wildebeests and zebras from Serengeti into Mara, when prey availability is
lowest and the potential for competition between cheetahs and other predators is highest
The spatial and temporal variations in the frequency of cheetah sightings, the abundance of
other predators in close proximity to the cheetahs, mean distances of their separation and
other predator and prey density at the focal cheetah area were determined and compared in
different areas of Mar a Individual cheetahs were identified using the unique body and
cheek spots and the tail pattern before naming them
A total of 45 individual cheetahs were positively identified in the study area, comprising of
12 adult males, 18 females and' 15 cubs. This was an increase of 3 individuals (11.1 %) and
an increase of 11 cubs (275%)'as compared to four cubs in 2002 survey. Fewer lions and
hyenas were observed close to cheetahs 'during the migration period (dry season) and in the
short rains season (after migration) than in the wet season when the number of other
predators at cheetah vicinity was higher. The mean distance of separation between cheetahs
and lions was highest during the dry season when the migratory herbivores were in Mara
and lowest during the early wet season when the migrating specie{tefi forSerengeti.
The hypothesis that other predators Rose no threat to cheetah survival was rejected in the
case of lions and hyenas and accepted in the case of jackals. Lions were found to be more
dangerous to cheetahs than hyenas espe<:ially during the long rains and the short rains
seasons. The mean distance of separation between focal cheetahs and the lions were
significantly correlated (r = -0.414 P < 0.05 n = 18) while that ofhyenas(r = -0.119 P >
0.05 n = 18) and jackals (r = 0.043 p> 0.05 n = 18) were not significant. Cheetahs
interacted more closely with other predators in certain blocks than others and were also
more tolerant to hyenas than lions. Stealing of cheetah kills was more pronounced during
the wet season and just before migrations indicating a limitation on the available prey
especially with other predators. Home range sizes for females were found to overlap and
ranged from 117-163km2 while a home range for two males in a coalition was found to be
159km2 with a large measure of overlap.
The assumption that cheetahs are more abundant in certain areas of Mar a than others was
found to be valid. Burnt and overgrazed areas with short grass attracted more prey species
during the wet season and consequently attracted more predators including cheetahs.
Cheetah abundance had a negative relationship with grass height (r = -0.445 P < 0.05 n
23). There was also a significant relationship between grass height and total prey biomass
density (r = -0.447 P < 0.05 n = 19) indicating that animals avoided areas of tall grass
probably due to increase in risks of predation associated with tall grass. Thomson's
gazelles were observed to be the most preferred prey species for cheetahs, and when
densities of thomson's gazelles were compared in different study blocks, they differed
greatly according to seasons and blocks illustrating extensive spatial heterogeneity in prey
distribution
These results from this study provides information that will help understand the carnivore
interactions and may be used in the active management of carnivores in the protected areas
of Kenya especially the endangered and declining Cheetah population in Mara. | en |
