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Kristen, I.; Bakker, E.; Trujillo, L.L.; Bour, P.; Nhiomog, N.; Bauer, H.; De longh, H.
Lion (_Panthera leo_) and spotted hyaena (_Crocuta crocuta_) abundance in Bouba Ndjida National Park, Cameroon, trends between 2005 and 2014
2018  African Journal of Ecology (56): 414-417

Large carnivore numbers have declined in and around protected areas of West and Central Africa over the last decades (Bauer et al., 2015; Brugiere, Chardonnet, & Scholte, 2015; Durant et al., 2016; Henschel et al., 2014; Riggio et al., 2013). Considering recent functional extinction of cheetah (_Acinonyx jubatus_, Schreber) and wild dog (_Lycaon pictus_, Temminck) in North Cameroon, there is concern about the status of lion (_Panthera leo_, L.), leopard (_Panthera pardus_, L.) and spotted hyaena (_Crocuta crocuta_, Erxleben) populations (De Iongh, Croes, Rasmussen, Buij, & Funston, 2011). In the context of lion populations in West and Central Africa, the estimated population of 250 lions in the B‚nou‚ Complex, consisting of 3 national parks and 32 hunting zones (Bauer et al., 2016), is probably larger than most other lion populations in this region (Henschel et al., 2014; Riggio et al., 2013). The abundance of lion and spotted hyaena in Bouba Ndjida National Park (BNNP) was previously assessed by Bauer (2007) in 2004 with a calling station survey and Croes et al. (2011) between 2007 and 2010 with a spoor survey. These surveys estimated that BNNP contained approximately 60 lions and 120 spotted hyaenas. Low carnivore densities and poor infrastructure in Central Africa make surveying large carnivores expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, indirect methods are preferable (Midlane, O'Riain, Balme, & Hunter, 2015). Our study used call-ups, broadcasting recorded animal distress calls to attract lions and spotted hyaenas (Ogutu & Dublin, 1998). Here, we present the results of a call-up survey held from April to May 2014 in BNNP using the same methodology as Bauer (2007).

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