The complex landscape of lion behavioural ecology & conservation: from social dynamics to systemic inequality

Thesis

The African lion (Panthera leo) is a globally significant species due to its cultural, financial, and ecological status. Unique amongst Felidae, lions are highly social and group-living which contributes to their charisma. Despite their status, the species faces significant conservation pressures. Many of these threats, such as human-lion conflict and prey- base depletion, are influenced by the sociocultural landscapes within which lions’ range. Even natural threats such as disease are exaggerated in severity and spread by anthropogenically induced climate change and contact with domestic animals. In this thesis I take a holistic view of lion conservation, combining methodologies from behavioural ecology and social science, to address knowledge gaps within the complex system of lion conservation. I evidence sex-specific patterns of social ageing in the African lion. In females, I highlight the role of associate loss and within-individual shifts in sociality prior to disappearance in driving social ageing patterns. Further, I show that individual- level sociality impacts longevity across both sexes. These findings have consequences for disease transmission and species management strategies across age-structured lion societies. Next, I evidence identity-bias against lion conservation messengers on social media based on their expertise, race, and gender. I demonstrate that racism and sexism influence messengers’ perceived credibility in the public eye, and support for their conservation recommendations. Finally, I trace conservations’ colonial history into present-day dynamics to better understand why such discrimination exists - before suggesting ways to create a more socially just and inclusive sphere of conservation.

Authors: Rudd, L

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-r80175mqx
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: social behaviour; diversity and inclusion; conservation; equality
• Subjects: Conservation; Social behavior in animals; Social justice