Résumé
We test two hypotheses that could account for patch departure by large
mammalian carnivores. One hypothesis is the unsuccessful hunt hypothesis,
where carnivores leave an area after an unsuccessful hunt but continue
hunting in the same area after a successful hunt. The second hypothesis is
the patch disturbance hypothesis, where carnivores depart the area after a
successful hunt because of behavioral responses of prey to predator
presence. We used GPS-collars to monitor the movements of African lions
(Panthera leo) and identified their kill sites to distinguish between
these two hypotheses. Lions moved to a different area (>5 km) after
87 percent of the kills, which supports the patch disturbance hypothesis
for patch departure behavior of large mammalian carnivores.