Lion pride boost at Somkhanda
A pride of three lions (one male and two females) were intruced on Somkhanda from the AndBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve in May lasy year
THE number of lions in the Somkhanda Community Game Reserve in northern Zululand has increased by four following the birth of cubs earlier this month.
A pride of three lions (one male and two females) were intruced on Somkhanda from the AndBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve in May lasy year.
This translocation was carried out as part of Phinda’s lion management strategy, supported by Empowers Africa and inspired by the powerful feature documentary, ‘Blood Lions’.
The lions were released from the boma into the greater reserve in August last year and have roamed freely over approximately 12 000 acres.
‘Soon after their release the male was seen mating with one of the females and we suspected she was pregnant,’ said Wildlands’ Strategic Manager of Conservation, Dave Gilroy.
‘The monitoring teams then saw some signs that indicated the female had given birth and we have been anxiously waiting for her to bring the cubs out into the open.’
PHOTOS: Pippa Orpen
First sightings
They had their first glimpse of the female with her cubs, the first wild lions born on Somkhanda in the past 50 plus years, since lions were persecuted and exterminated from the area.
‘This introduction was supported and guided by the Emwokweni Community Trust and Gumbi Community’s vision to create a premier Big 5 game reserve on their land,’ said Wildlands CEO and Executive Producer of the groundbreaking film, Dr Andrew Venter.
Their vision and courage has been inspirational and sets a real example of how a deep rural community can use its land assets sustainably to stimulate local economic development.
‘As one of the founders of Somkhanda, I am very excited about the news of the cubs,’ said Nathi Gumbi, a member of the Gumbi tribe and Wildlands’ Strategic Manager for Community Engagement.
‘We cannot thank our loyal donors and partners enough for their support in making this translocation possible,’ said Venter.
‘We must extend huge thanks to Empowers Africa, the Emvokweni Community Trust, Blood Lions®, Different.org, WildlifeACT, Jonsson Workwear and Phinda Private Game Reserve.’
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 072 069 4169
Instagram – zululand_observer
