Providing genetic diversity to iSimangaliso’s lion pride
TWO lionesses, which were relocated to iSimangaliso Wetland Park 10 days ago, should be ready to be released into the uMkhuze section of the park in the first week of December.
Yesterday, iSimangaliso’s Slindile Msweli confirmed the lionesses were doing well and had settled in a boma since their arrival from Makalali Private Game Reserve in Limpopo.
The lions are being introduced to provide genetic diversity to the current pride, as too much inbreeding leads to weak and compromised animals. Genetic diversity is considered essential in small reserves where natural migration patterns are not possible
“They are due to have their satellite collars fitted and released in the first week of December. One will be fitted with a state-of-the-art satellite GPS collar that gives readings every few hours and the other will have a VHF collar. It is common for them to stay together, so this gives a good win-win option for tracking,” said Msweli.
iSimangaliso and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife management plan includes ensuring diversity in lions as well as other priority species and non-profit organisation African Wildlife Vets funded the costs of this relocation.
At the private reserve, bait was laid and within 30 minutes the lions had responded giving veterinarians, Dr Ben Muller from Wildlife Vets and Dr Joel Alves the right opportunity to dart the two cats.
They were loaded onto the back of the vehicle and taken to the Makalali boma where they were medically checked, particularly for tuberculosis (TB). Once confirmed that the animals were TB free, they were darted and loaded into a crate for the long journey to the boma in uMkhuze.
Lions were first re-introduced into iSimangaliso in December 2013, when four lions were translocated from Tembe Elephant Park. An additional two males and three females were added in 2014. Last September saw the arrival of three new males from the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve which were genetically distinct from the existing pride.