Data from: Natural and anthropogenic drivers of cub recruitment in a large carnivore

Recruitment is a critical parameter governing population dynamics and influences population persistence. Understanding the drivers of recruitment is therefore important for conservation, especially for long-lived mammals such as large carnivores, which have low reproductive rates, rendering them prone to extinction. Using cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) as a model species, I investigated the variation in cub recruitment in relation to habitat and the abundance of tourists and predators. Per litter, female cheetahs on average raised 1.71 ± 1.35 cubs to independence but this varied depending on the presence of open habitat and the abundance of tourists, both of which had a negative effect on cub recruitment. More specifically, female cheetahs that were mostly found in open habitats on average raised 1.69 ± 0.14 cubs per litter to independence compared to 3.04 ± 0.26 cubs in denser habitat. Similarly, female cheetahs that were exposed to high tourist abundance on average raised 0.21 ± 0.72 cubs to independence compared to 2.32 ± 0.11 cubs in low tourism areas. Neither lion nor spotted hyaena abundance had an impact on the number of cubs that were recruited. Based on these findings, I recommend that the importance of a heterogeneous environment should be taken into consideration in habitat management, restoration efforts and reintroduction programmes. In addition, tourist quotas should be put into place in high visitation areas and strict wildlife viewing guidelines, such as number of vehicles, tourist behaviour, time spent and distance to a sighting, should be enforced. Cub recruitment is an important component of species persistence and incorporating these findings could aid conservation efforts for species that are increasingly under threat.

种群补充率是调控种群动态、影响种群存续的关键参数。明确种群补充率的驱动因素对物种保护具有重要意义，尤其是针对繁殖率低下、易濒临灭绝的大型食肉动物这类长寿哺乳动物而言。本研究以猎豹（Acinonyx jubatus）为模式物种，探究了幼崽补充率的变异与栖息地、游客数量及捕食者丰度的关联。每胎次中，雌性猎豹平均可将1.71±1.35只幼崽抚养至独立，但该数值因开阔生境占比与游客数量而异，二者均对幼崽补充率产生负面影响。具体而言，主要栖息于开阔生境的雌性猎豹，每胎平均仅能将1.69±0.14只幼崽抚养至独立；而栖息于致密生境的雌性猎豹，该数值可达3.04±0.26只。类似地，处于高游客丰度区域的雌性猎豹，平均仅能将0.21±0.72只幼崽抚养至独立；而低游客密度区域的雌性猎豹，该数值为2.32±0.11只。狮子与斑鬣狗的种群丰度均未对幼崽补充数量产生显著影响。基于上述研究结果，本研究建议在栖息地管理、生境修复及物种再引入计划中，应充分考虑异质化生境的重要性。此外，高游览量区域应设立游客接待配额制度，并严格执行野生动物观赏规范，包括游览车辆数量、游客行为、停留时长及与观测点的距离等要求。幼崽补充率是物种存续的关键组成部分，将本研究结果纳入保护实践，可为日益受威胁的物种提供保护助力。