24 lions from SA starting new life in Mozambique's Zambezi Delta

[PennyinSA]

To a hunting coutada??????
http://www.tourismupdate.co.za/article/ ... Mozambique

[Richprins]

Have sent it on, Penny. Let's just see, the destination may even be slightly a red herring? Seems ok and it's tough repopulating those huge areas.

[Richprins]

Got a response from a very senior conservationist, Penny:

Hi RP

First I have heard of it, but it seems legit.

Ivan Carter is a reputable hunter and conservationist. The area where they are going is wilderness with no fences. The lions come from wild populations.

Cheers

[Lisbeth]

2018-08-07 10:30 - Gabi Zietsman



Twenty-four, beautiful big cats have arrived at their new home, thanks to The Cabela Family Foundation.

Co-ordinating one of the biggest lion moves across borders, in partnership with the Ivan Carter Wildlife Conservation Alliance, Zambeze Delta Safaris and Marromeu Safaris, these cats will start their new lives by helping to repopulate the Zambezi Delta in Mozambique.

The wildlife population of the delta was heavily threatened by the Mozambican civil war, and after peace poaching became the new threat. With the help of anti-poaching units and the local community, the non-carnivorous animals had stabilised enough for lions to be returned to the area as the top of the food chain. Carnivores are extremely important to prevent the collapse of biomes.

Wild lions from South Africa's Tembe Elephant Park and Makalali Private Game Reserve were selected to help seed this new population. After being quarantined at Msunduze River Lodge for a period, the lions were sedated and started their journey to Mozambique through Mkuze and Kruger International Airport.

Since their arrival in Mozambique, they have been in quarantine bomas where the different lion groups were socialised to form larger prides, increasing their chances of successfully adjusting to their new environment in the delta.

Since Sunday, five of the 24 have been released so far according to the project's Facebook page, and will continue the rest of the week. The anti-poaching team from Zambeze Delta Safaris has been taking the lead. They have been making vital strides in the conservation of the delta and making it possible for the lions to move to their new 2.5 million-acre home.

According to Club of Mozambique, the lion population is expected to increase to 500 in the space of 30 years, which will contribute to increasing the world's lion population by 10% over the next two decades.

The last big lion relocation was in 2015, when 33 rescued lions were flown from South America to the Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa, where they will live out their days as they cannot be rewilded.


The use of a canvas “stretcher” makes it easier for the humans and more comfortable for the sleeping lion. (Photo: 24 Lions)


A full plane of lions! Pilot Roger at the wheel and vet Ryan Van Devender on board to keep the girls asleep. (Photo: 24 Lions)


Mark Haldane and Anton Smit sit with chief Domingo Bichote and welcome the lions to the area. (Photo: 24 Lions)

https://www.traveller24.com/Explore/Gre ... a-20180807

[Dindingwe]

There have been some articles in the mozambican press about this relocation, most of them are very positive about it, including the scientific and conservation community.
At first sight, I would also think it was not a smart idea to put Lions in a hunting area or, more generally, in a country where there is still much poaching.
But the main objective of the operation was to recreate a more natural balance between prey and predator. There were very few predators in the area (some leopards and few hyenas, no lions at all, no cheetahs...). The Lions are not supposed to be hunted (only antelopes and buffaloes) and the private group that has the concession of the area (Zambezi Delta Safari) will monitor the hunting permit. They say also that the hunters prefer to hunt in an area where there are also dangerous animals to have a kind of thrill...
So it is better than it could seem at first sight, even if I would prefer no hunting at all...
By the way, coutadas 10 and 11 are very good places for birding. Never been there.

[Lisbeth]

Let's hope that all works out well

[Richprins]

Dingwe!

[Dindingwe]

Last week, I had the opportunity to go to Coutada 11, where the group of Lions has been relocated. I had read in the press some week before that one male Lion had already been caught in a trap set by poachers. The Lion was discovered too late and had to be euthanized.

I spent only a few hours in the coutada (I was in Marromeu to observe local elections, so no much time to travel around), but I could speak with one of the manager. He confirmed that one Lion had been lost, but he was not targeted. There is more and more human encroachment in the coutada, they settle illegally, cut down trees and trees, but for political reasons, it is impossible to expel them. But at least, when poachers are caught, they are brought to court.

There is still subsistance poaching in the coutada, targeting antelopes, but the manager said the poaching had been reduced since the establishment of the coutada about 20 years ago. At that time, there was almost no animals left and now there are herds of Elands, Sables, Waterbucks, Reedbucks... I saw them but, as expected in a hunting reserve, they flee as soon as they see a car approaching. I hav no nice pictures.

Back to the Lions : their presence has also reduced poaching and illegal fishing. The management hopes they will restore a natural balance in all the coutada and that there will be 500 of them within 20 years (I think it is very optimistic).

[Lisbeth]

Thank you for the info

So many things to resolve in so many places, before putting away "the gun" and being able to say that things are running well and naturally.....and not only in Mozambique

[Peter Betts]

Well Done and Well Done to the Hunting Outfitters ..Finally backing up your conservation talk