Does the protected
lion eat conserved zebra?
Phew! No catch-22!
Recovering predator populations as a result of conservation work can result in impacts on their prey species populations, causing issues if those prey species are themselves endangered. One case in particular is whether lions exert top-down pressure on Grevy’s zebra in Kenya – does the recovery plan of one species negatively affect the conservation of another?
A study by O’Brien et al (2018) suggests we need not worry in this case – working in Laikipia County in Kenya the researchers found that lions were less likely to prey on Grevy’s zebra than expected. In fact, population trends suggest that the Grevy’s zebra population in Kenya may be stabilising. The researchers conclude that the most likely threat to Grevy’s zebra are competition for grass with Plain’s zebra and the impact of livestock.
Original research: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0201983