Lions released into Mountain Zebra National Park

[Toko]

Lions for Mountain Zebra

April 8, 2013, 7:15 AM
By: Romi Boom


Mountain Zebra will soon have its own lion population. The five lions have already been translocated from Addo Elephant National Park and are currently in a holding boma. They should be a hugely popular tourist attraction.

Cape lions occurred in the area historically and the new arrivals were originally from Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park stock, chosen for their genetic similarity. They enjoy disease-free status, meaning they do not suffer from tuberculosis and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) which can be transmitted to other species.

It also makes sense to introduce lion to Mountain Zebra from a biodiversity viewpoint. They are expected to prey mainly on the larger herbivores of the park, and it is believed that they will flourish, as did the cheetahs, who were introduced in 2007, followed by brown hyaena a few years later. In a mere five years, Mountain Zebra saw a veritable cheetah explosion and many of them have been translocated to other parks and reserves.

The order of introduction of various predators is likely to impact on a park’s system; in this regard researchers and management expect to learn important lessons. These three species were introduced simultaneously in Addo. In Karoo National Park, lion were introduced in 2010, followed by brown hyaena last year, and cheetach are likely to follow.

In small parks with only a few lions, lionesses aren’t under threat from strange lions and they can hunt on their own, without the protection and collaboration of the usual family and social network. Since they are able to kill and eat more prey, they are always in great physical condition, which allows them to breed and raise many cubs.

Their behaviour will be closely monitored so that they do not multiply to the detriment of other species in the park. According to Dr Sam Ferreira, SANParks’ large mammal ecologist, they should provide valuable information about the explosion of lion populations in small parks.

[Richprins]

Great stuff!

But wonder about trailists?

Should stay in a separate camp...no matter what Dr Ferreira says.

On the other hand, they should sort out the cheetah overpopulation very quickly!

[Flutterby]

Sounds like good news!

[Toko]

Lions released into Eastern Cape park

2013-04-25 14:06

Cape Town - Three lion were released into Mountain Zebra National Park outside Cradock in the Eastern Cape for the first time today, becoming the first free-roaming lions in the area after an absence from the area of over 130 years.

The lone lioness was sourced from Karoo National Park outside Beaufort West, while the two males were brought in from Welgevonden Game Reserve in Limpopo. The female has been resident in the Park's boma since February, while the two males arrived earlier this month - allowing them to acclimatise to their new surroundings, and each other, before their release.

Park Manager, Megan Taplin, says the decision to introduce lion into the Park was mainly for biodiversity reasons. "Lions would have occurred here historically and it is SANParks policy to reintroduce the wildlife species which would have occurred in an area before hunting or habitat loss forced them to local extinction in earlier centuries. They will also occupy the niche of large predator in the ecosystem, keeping the numbers of larger herbivores in the Park in check," said Taplin.

The three were released from the Park's boma this morning, as the third predator species in the Park - after the introduction of cheetah in 2007 and brown hyena in 2008. "SANParks took the decision to allow cheetah to first establish themselves in the Park before introducing lion which may compete with the cheetah for food. The numbers of large herbivores such as black wildebeest, red hartebeest, eland and gemsbok have now reached levels deemed sufficient to support lion," Taplin said.

The lion are collared so that Park Management can monitor them in the first few months or years after release and so that rangers and researchers can observe what habitats they use and which species they prey on. Taplin says this will enable them to measure the lions' impact on prey species and determine if more should be introduced in future.

Lion often explore the extent of the Park soon after release before establishing themselves in the areas where they have the most success hunting. "On release into a new area, lion often prey on a variety of species before settling down. However, we predict that they will prey mostly on species such as black wildebeest and kudu," said Taplin.

Cheetah tracking and guided walks will continuing, led by the Park's knowledgeable guides who are trained to walk in Big Five areas. The fencing of the two picnic sites inside the game viewing area was completed in preparation for the lions' arrival. The Park is already enclosed with predator-proof fencing, which was erected prior to the release of cheetah in 2007.

Apart from their biodiversity value, the introduction of the lion will add to Mountain Zebra's tourism value - offering visitors a new species to look out for in the Park. "I think it will be wonderful to hear lion roaring at right - nothing beats that sound," Taplin concluded.

[Toko]

SANParks Media Release: An update on Mountain Zebra National Park's lion

[nan]

well done
thank you Toko

[Richprins]

GoingSomewhereSlowly
‏ @GoSomewhereSlow
Aug 29

"Licence, please."

Road block at Mountain Zebra National Park.






SANParksMZNP
‏ @SANParksMZNP
8m8 minutes ago

One of Mountain Zebra National Park's lionesses and her cubs. Photo credit: Johan Labuschagne #lion #LION #feline #Lionesses #karoo #LiveYourWild @SANParks

[Alf]

Wow,.......

Tell them to wait for me there

[Flutterby]

[PJL]

Wow,.......

Tell them to wait for me there

When will you be there Alf?