Lion populations within Kenya are exposed to a rapidly changing human-occupied landscape. Lions are subjected to habitat loss, prey depletion, and human-lion conflict. At the heart of this conflict, is the need for lions to have a sufficient prey base and safe refuges within human-occupied lands. Through our research, we explore the availability of suitable habitats for lions.
We apply modelling techniques to identify suitable lion habitat within Community Conservancies neighbouring protected areas. Knowing which areas are important for lions helps us work with communities and discuss ways where safe refuges for lions can be kept intact. This allows for the provision of contiguous high-suitable habitat and enables lions’ safe dispersal from the protected areas and Conservancies.