Exploring attitudes, behaviors, and potential solutions to lion (Panthera leo) killing in Maasailand, Kenya

African lion (Panthera leo) populations are in decline throughout most of Africa, but the problem is particularly acute in southern Kenya, where Maasai people are spearing and poisoning lions at a rate that will ensure near term local extinction. I carried out an in-depth examination of the multiple socio-cultural, political, and ecological factors underlying lion killing in the Amboseli region in Kenyan Maasailand. The aim of this dissertation was three-fold: (1) to examine how access to park resources during times of drought influences Maasai attitudes toward lions and lion killing behavior; (2) to identify the roles of attitudes, values and beliefs, and behavioral intent in predicting known lion killing behavior; and lastly (3) to evaluate the effect of two conservation programs (livestock compensation and participatory monitoring) on Maasai tolerance of lions, based on seven years of human-induced lion mortality data.;These three chapters each contribute to our understanding of human-induced lion mortality, and provide possible solutions to reduce killing. The unique combination of rigorous quantitative methods and analyses, in addition to my experiences and insight gained through living and working in Maasailand for many years, allows a more holistic examination of the various latent and (overt) predictors of lion killing behavior. It is my hope that this dissertation will provide a deeper understanding of the conflict between human populations and predators, and thus help provide the framework for policies and programs that will arrest and reverse the rapid decline in the populations of the African lion.