LION DENSITY AND POPULATION-STRUCTURE IN THE SELOUS-GAME-RESERVE - EVALUATION OF HUNTING QUOTAS AND OFFTAKE

In 1992, tourist hunting in the Selous Game Reserve generated 1.28 mil lion dollars for the Tanzanian government, of which 0.96 million dolla rs were returned to wildlife conservation. Lions (Panthera lee) are on e of three critical species for tourist hunting, consistently generati ng 12%-13% of hunting revenue from 1988 to 1992, Because of their ecol ogical and economic importance (and intrinsic value), it is important that lion quotas be set so that offtake is sustainable. The population density of lions in Selous ranges from 0.08 to 0.13 adults km(-2), co mparable to unhunted ecosystems. The adult sex ratio (36-41% male) and the ratio of cubs to adults (29% cubs) are similar to those of unhunt ed populations, The ratio of lions to hyaenas is lower in heavily hunt ed areas (0.17 lions/hyena) than in unhunted areas (0.43 lions/hyena). Hunting: levels between 1989 and 1994 took 2.7-4.3% of adult males an nually, which is sustainable. The current quota is 10-16% of the adult male population, which exceeds natural mortality rates for male lions . To remain stable if the quota was filled, the population would have to compensate via increased fecundity, increased juvenile survival, or an altered sex-ratio. Compensation occurs in Selous by producing (Or raising) more male than female cubs (66-81% of juveniles are male). On ly 28% of the Selous quota was filled in 1992. The percentage of quota filled (both in Selous and nationwide) has dropped since 1988 as quot as have increased, The current intensity of lion hunting in Selous is sustainable, but the quota cannot be filled sustainably.