Lions for Mountain Zebra
Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2013 6:21 pm
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.
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.