A social network analysis of social cohesion in a constructed pride: Implications for ex situ reintroduction of the African Lion (Panthera leo)

Animal conservation practices include the grouping of captive related and unrelated individuals to form a social structure which is characteristic of that species in the wild. In response to the rapid decline of wild African lion (Panthera leo) populations, an array of conservational strategies have been adopted. Ex situ reintroduction of the African lion requires the construction of socially cohesive pride structures prior to wild release. This pilot study adopted a social network theory approach to quantitatively assess a captive pride's social structure and the relationships between individuals within them. Group composition (who is present in a group) and social interaction data (social licking, greeting, play) was observed and recorded to assess social cohesion within a released semi-wild pride. UCINET and SOCPROG software was utilised to represent and analyse these social networks. Results indicate that the pride is socially cohesive, does not exhibit random associations, and the role of socially influential keystone individuals is important for maintaining social bondedness within a lion pride. These results are potentially informative for the structure of lion prides, in captivity and in the wild, and could have implications for captive and wild-founder reintroductions

Degree values for the Ngamo pride, excluding cub data.

<p>Degree values for the Ngamo pride, excluding cub data.</p

Degree values for the Ngamo pride, including cub data.

<p>Degree values for the Ngamo pride, including cub data.</p

Clique analysis for Ngamo pride (including cubs).

<p>Clique analysis illustrating the sub-groups present in the networks for A) play, B) greeting, C) social licking, D) all social interactions combined, and E) group composition. Circles represent individual lions and triangles indicate the cliques they are involved in.</p

Sociograms for all networks in the Ngamo pride (including cubs).

<p>Sociograms illustrating the networks for A) play, B) greeting, C) social licking, D) all social interactions combined, and E) group composition for the Ngamo pride when cubs are included in the dataset and analysis. Line thickness represents the strength of the association between dyads. Circles represent female lions and squares represent male lions. The size of the circle or square is directly proportional to the age of the individual; larger shapes denote older individuals.</p

Sociograms for all networks in the Ngamo pride (excluding cubs).

<p>Sociograms illustrating the A) play, B) greeting, C) social licking, D) all social interactions combined, and E) group composition for the Ngamo pride when cubs are excluded from the dataset and analysis. Line thickness represents the strength of the association between dyads.</p

Density and Transitivity for all observed networks, excluding cub data.

<p>Density and Transitivity for all observed networks, excluding cub data.</p

Betweenness (centrality) values for the Ngamo pride, excluding cub data.

<p>Betweenness (centrality) values for the Ngamo pride, excluding cub data.</p

Betweenness (centrality) values for the Ngamo pride, including cub data.

<p>Betweenness (centrality) values for the Ngamo pride, including cub data.</p

Clique analysis for all networks in the Ngamo pride (excluding cubs).

<p>Clique analysis illustrating the sub-groups present in the networks for A) play, B) greeting, C) social licking, D) all social interactions combined, and E) group composition. Circles represent individual lions and triangles indicate the cliques they are involved in.</p