The last census of the MMNR lion population using
individual identification was done in 1990-1992. However,
comparisons with more recent research show that the lion population
in the MMNR has declined by 40 percent since this time. This trend
is of concern not only because of the ecological and economic
importance of the species, but also because it has apparently gone
unrecorded and it is unclear as to why this decline in the lion
population has occurred inside the MMNR. Although it is likely that
the decline is ultimately due to a combination of factors, it is
now crucial to conduct further research on the lions of the MMNR to
determine exactly what factors are most important for regulation of
the population, and whether the population is continuing to decline
or has stabilised. Although this trend is only based on two data
points, and significant short-term variations have been recorded in
the more intensively studied Serengeti lion populations,
information is now urgently needed on MMNR lion population ecology
in order to understand both the population patterns, and the
potential causes of any changes observed. As such, MMNR management
will support or undertake a study to establish the various factors
that might impact on lion population dynamics in the MMNR, and to
recommend management actions to help reverse these
trends.
