Threat of rapid extermination of the lion (Panthera leo leo) in Waza National Park, Northern Cameroon

Lion populations in West and Central Africa are small and fragmented. In areas where park management is weak, threats will likely facilitate the extinction of the lion. Wildlife management requires knowledge of the population estimate. The population of lions in Waza National Park (Waza NP) was assessed by individual identification of members in the population. The population was assessed to comprise of 14-21 adult individual lions. The age structure was skewed towards adults; cubs comprised 22% of all lions identified while the sex ratio was 1 : 3. Two out of four collared lions were lost to illegal, retaliatory killings within 1 year; and probably two more males and one more female were also killed during this period. The lion population appears to have declined during the last 5 years with six lions dying per year, which is at a much higher rate than observed in the previous decades. Human-livestock pressure has increased tremendously in this period, resulting to frequent human-lion conflicts. To ensure the survival of the lion in Waza NP and in the entire region, management needs to intensify efforts to mitigate the pressure from humans and their livestock.Resume Les populations de lions d'Afrique centrale et de l'Ouest sont petites et fragmentees. Dans les regions ou la gestion des parcs est mediocre, des menaces risquent de faciliter d'extinction des lions. La gestion de la faune sauvage exige de connaitre l'estimation des populations. On a evalue la population de lions du Parc National de Waza (PN Waza) en identifiant individuellement ses membres. On a estime que cette population comptait de 14 a 21 adultes. La structure d'age etait biaisee en faveur des adultes; les lionceaux representaient 22% de tous les lions identifies et le sex-ratio etait de 1/3. Deux des quatre lions equipes d'un collier emetteur furent tues illegalement en un an, en guise de represailles; deux autres males et une autre femelle furent aussi tues pendant cette periode. La population de lions semble avoir decline au cours des cinq dernieres annees, avec la mort de six lions par an, ce qui est un rythme beaucoup plus rapide que celui observe au cours des decennies precedentes. La pression des hommes et du betail a terriblement augmente pendant cette periode, ce qui a entraine de frequents conflits entre hommes et lions. Pour garantir la survie des lions dans le PN Waza et dans toute la region, la gestion doit intensifier ses efforts pour attenuer la pression des hommes et de leur betail.