, 2008). In contrast, the SP is a vast gently undulating plain of 5200 km2 interspersed with groups of granite and gneiss outcrops (Sinclair, 1977). Both areas are nested in large protected areas with the full complement of mammalian carnivores, although the composition and densities are different (Table 1). The lion population on the SP has fluctuated markedly in recent years (Packer et al., 2005). We therefore calculated the density of

lions and other large carnivores on the SP from the nearest numerical assessment we could find to the time of the aforementioned cheetah Selleck CH5424802 cub survival study and assumed that the area covered by the plains was 5200 km2 (Caro, 1994). We did not include leopards as they were find more not shown to be present on the SP, although they are in the adjoining woodlands (Caro, 1994). In comparison with the SP, lion

numbers have remained quite stable in the KTP in recent years (Mills et al., 1978; Castley et al., 2002; Funston, 2011). We used data from spoor surveys (Funston, 2001; Funston et al., 2010) conducted a few years before the cheetah cub predation study. Six adult female cheetahs were fitted with conventional very high-frequency radio collars (Advanced Telemetry Sytems, Isanti, MN, USA) between 2006 and 2012, and monitored for periods ranging from 20 to 68 months (total 311 cheetah-months). Each one was located at least once a month while collared. Once a den had been found, we approached it at the first opportunity that the this website mother left it to count and age the cubs. Of 17 litters found in the den, 10 were judged to be under 2 weeks of age when first found (eyes not completely open, poor mobility) and seven were older. The mean (3.4) and range (2–5) litter size of cubs under 2 weeks of age did not differ significantly from the mean (3.3) and

range (2–4) of cubs older than 2 weeks old when first found (t-test P = 0.8899; two-tailed), indicating no loss of cubs in the older litters before we found them. Three litters belonging to three different female cheetahs disappeared before we were able to count the cubs. We have assumed that they contained 3.4 cubs (the mean litter size of newborn cubs). We visited the dens at least once every 5 days. If the den was deserted, we searched the area for clues as to the disappearance of the cubs, especially looking for tracks of potential predators in the sand. Such non-trivial handling and activities around cheetah dens has been found not to affect their reproductive success (Laurenson & Caro, 1994) and all collars used were removed at the termination of the study. Once the cubs had left the den, we regularly located and followed the cheetahs for up to 14 days at a time. All female cheetahs with cubs were located at least once a month.

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