Home range and habitat preference of female lions (Panthera leo persica) in Gir forests, India

The social organization of Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica) differs from African lions (P. l. leo) in that breeding lionesses defend resource based territories while male coalitions maximize coverage of female groups. Thus, lion density in the Gir forests of India is dictated by female territory size. We studied the home range and habitat preference of lions using radio telemetry on seven lionesses spaced throughout the Gir between 2002 and 2005. Radio locations obtained by homing in were plotted on a classified (LISS III FCC) habitat map of Gir to obtain habitat use and availability. Habitat preference was computed using compositional analysis and Ivlev's index. Average (+/- SE) 100% Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP) range of six lionesses was 48.2 +/- 10.6 km(2), 95% MCP was 34.7 +/- 7.8 km(2) and 95% fixed kernel range size was 32.5 +/- 8.2 km(2). Breeding female group density and group size was about 3 per 100 km(2) and 1.3 (0.5 SD, n = 45) respectively. Lions were observed to show a habitat preference (chi(2)((6df)) = 11: 4, P = 0.08), the order of preference was Moist Mixed forests > Mixed forests > Savanna habitats > Teak-Acacia-Zizyphus-Anogeissus forests > Acacia-Lannea-Boswellia forests > Thorn and Scrub forests > Agriculture areas. Habitat preference during the day was for dense vegetation (chi(2)((6df)) = 35, P < 0.001). At night lions even ventured into agricultural fields. Our data suggests that dense habitats are preferred by lions in Gir to escape the heat of the day and to be in good cover when human activity was likely to be at its peak within forested areas.