South Africa: Marakele National Park home to the "Big Five" again!
The Marakele National Park in Limpopo used to be home to the famous Big Five, but due to a disease called Theileriosis all buffalos in the Park had to be removed in 2009. About two years later, in 2011, a herd of 15 sentinel bulls got reintroduced to initiate a test to determine the disease prevalence in the area. These bulls were tested again in April 2013 and confirmed to be negative for Theileriosis, so that the quarantine status on the Marakele National Park got fully lifted. Another six month later, on 15 October 2013, South African National Parks (SANParks) re-introduced a herd of 20 disease free buffalo (nine cows and eleven bulls) into Marakele National Park, so that the Parks in now home to the Big Five again.
The Marakele National Park is located in the Waterberg Biosphere in South Africa's Limpopo Province and covers about 670 square kilometres. The Park has two camp sites, namely Tlopi Tented Camp and Bontle Camping Site. Eight new tented units are currently constructed at Bontle Camping Site (scheduled to conclude on 30 September 2013?!?!).
Marakele National Park home to the "Big Five" again!
Re: Marakele National Park home to the "Big Five" again!
MARAKELE WELCOMES TWO MALE LIONS
MAY 9, 2014
Two male lions have been released in Marakele National Park in Thabazimbi, Limpopo, SANParks announced this week.
The lions will complement the pride already in the park. They were translocated from Pilanesberg Nature Reserve in the North West Province to form new coalitions among the lions already in the park.
“Although this will increase the lion population in the park, the main aim is to diversify the gene pool,” said Johan Taljaard, Park Manager at Marakele.
Last year, four lions were introduced to the park, which now has a total of 23 lions. Buffalo have also been translocated to the park, bringing the total buffalo complement to 38. “We trust that these developments will continue to make Marakele National Park the favourite destination of choice,” said Taljaard.
MAY 9, 2014
Two male lions have been released in Marakele National Park in Thabazimbi, Limpopo, SANParks announced this week.
The lions will complement the pride already in the park. They were translocated from Pilanesberg Nature Reserve in the North West Province to form new coalitions among the lions already in the park.
“Although this will increase the lion population in the park, the main aim is to diversify the gene pool,” said Johan Taljaard, Park Manager at Marakele.
Last year, four lions were introduced to the park, which now has a total of 23 lions. Buffalo have also been translocated to the park, bringing the total buffalo complement to 38. “We trust that these developments will continue to make Marakele National Park the favourite destination of choice,” said Taljaard.
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Re: Marakele National Park home to the "Big Five" again!
Never knew they had lions in the first place.
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Re: Marakele National Park home to the "Big Five" again!
Haven't been that lucky to see them, but have seen some lion spoor at a lookout point and few years back. Great to here of more lions being introduce..
Kgalagadi: Dec 2015
KNP Maroela, Shingwedzi & Pretoriuskop: March 2016
KNP Maroela, Shingwedzi & Pretoriuskop: March 2016