Cheetah Niche Segregation in the Okavango Delta

The project aims to gain a better understanding of the complexity of the ecological and behavioural relationships between cheetah, spotted hyaena and lion, all carnivores that compete with each other, and to investigate the mechanisms that lead to their coexistence. This is being done by comparing the activities, habitats, home ranges and diets of cheetah, lion and spotted hyaena. 

Background
Previous research has suggested that lion and spotted hyaena have a negative influence on cheetah populations, and several studies have illustrated that cheetah directly avoid these predators. However, no fine-scale research has, as yet, focused on the influence of lion and spotted hyaena on the habitat-use and activity patterns of cheetah. This study aims to fill this gap in our knowledge. 

In addition, this research looks at a multi-species approach, addressing individual species and the ecological interactions between them. Finally, it is the first time that any research on cheetah in Northern Botswana is being carried out. 

Objectives 
The main objectives of this project are to: 
- Determine the extent to which habitat selection patterns of cheetah are influenced by the habitat use of lion and spotted hyaena. 
- Determine if the activity patterns of cheetah are influenced by the presence and activity of lion and spotted hyaena. 
- Determine the degree of dietary overlap in order to understand the role it plays in the coexistence between cheetah, lion and spotted hyaena. 
- Establish general ecological parameters for cheetah in Northern Botswana.

Methodology
GPS collars are being used to collect fine-scale location and activity data. In order to achieve these, 6 lion prides, 6 spotted hyaena clans and 4 individual cheetah, with overlapping home ranges, have so far been fitted with these collars. This provides data on the position of each individual in relation to the other collared individuals, which allows for detailed analyses of interactions between these species. The location data collected by the GPS collars are overlaid with GIS vegetation maps and maps of prey abundance, so that analysis on the spatial segregation in terms of habitat-use and prey availability can be carried out.

For a more fine-scale analysis of habitat use, activity and diet, collared individuals are located on a weekly basis and are followed by car for a minimum of one hour, cheetah generally followed during the day, with lion and hyaena generally followed at night. Throughout these follows, detailed notes are made on the animal's behaviour and surroundings.

To date there has been no research conducted on cheetah in the Moremi Game Reserve. Determining the general ecology is important both to have a better understanding of the data when they are being analysed and to aid the management of this species. Whenever non-collared cheetah are seen, identification photographs are taken and compared to photographs within the database. At sightings, information on social organisation and litter size are noted. In addition, a survey requesting some basic information is made for tourists and tour operators to fill in whenever cheetah are encountered.

The research is being carried out in the Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta, at the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) and at the Botswana Predator Conservation Trust (BPCT), formerly known as the Wild Dog Research Project.