The influence of social and environmental factors on organization of African lion (Panthera leo) prides in the Okavango Delta

African lion (Panthera leo) pride organization in the Okavango Delta is significantly influenced by environmental and social factors, with high flood years leading to reduced pride sizes and reproductive rates. Unlike previous assumptions, prey availability does not limit pride size; instead, habitat saturation due to flooding and competition from neighboring prides play critical roles. Subgroup dynamics reveal that adult female subgroups expand when facing higher intraspecific competition or when targeting larger prey, which demands greater cooperative hunting efforts. This study highlights the complex interplay between ecological conditions—particularly flooding—and social strategies among lions, offering new insights into their adaptability.

Kotze, R., Keith, M., Winterbach, C. W., Winterbach, H. E. K., & Marshal, J. P. (2018). The influence of social and environmental factors on organization of African lion (Panthera leo) prides in the Okavango Delta. Journal of Mammalogy, 99(4), 845–858. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyy076