Panic search for orphaned lion cubs
Addo Park rangers in quest to locate starving little lions
RANGERS at the Addo Elephant National Park are desperately scouring the park’s 180 000 hectares for three orphaned lion cubs that are feared to be on the brink of starvation. Their plight came to the attention of park staff after the lion cubs lost their mother, Gina, about five weeks ago to a suspected snake bite, SAN-Parks regional communications manager Fayroush Ludick said.
Addo conservation manager John Adendorff said unless the cubs were found soon, their chances of survival were slim.
“We estimate that Gina died about five weeks ago. It could possibly have been a snake bite, but we are not at all sure what the cause of death was. It could be a list of different things, as we only found her skull and collar. Nothing else remained of her.
“The cubs were last seen on December 20 by a visitor [Jacqui Brill]. Staff have been trying since then to locate them.
“We are asking visitors to the park to help us find them,” Adendorff said.
“Unfortunately, they were in poor condition when last seen and we do not believe they have survived, but we continue looking hopefully.”
If the cubs were found, they would be captured and put in a small camp for at least five months and fed every three to four days until they were strong enough to be released. Adendorff said the only reason the cubs had survived this long without their mother was due to their temporary foster mother, Josie.
“We know that Josie, a second female, must have been taking care of them for quite some time.
“However, she was expecting her own litter and must have pushed the youngsters away to give birth – about two weeks ago,” he said.
“Gina’s cubs were then on their own and had no means to fend for themselves.”
Rowallan Park resident Brill said she was deeply saddened to see the three cubs in such a weak state.
“My husband, Don, and I love animals and regularly go to Addo. On that day, we were taking Don’s cousins out for a day trip.
“When we saw the cubs, it was clear that they were starving,” Brill said.
“Had I known that the park rangers’ cell number was on the entrance ticket, I would have called immediately.
“By the time we got back to the entrance gate and reported seeing them, an hour must have passed and they were gone.
“I sincerely hope somebody finds them very soon.”
As a result of the festive season, the park is experiencing an increase in visitor numbers, something Ludick hopes will help in the search.
“We are asking all visitors to keep their eyes open for the cubs. Please, report any sightings immediately, so we can locate them and place them in a boma for rehabilitation,” she said.