Desert Lion Conservation (War: Zwei Halsbänder...)

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism undertook an operation which was led by the Director of Park and Wildlife Mr. Sikopo to successfully capturing two (2) problem causing sub adult male lions that has been killing cattle on farms west of Khaudum National Park in the Kavango East Region.

We have so far on record 4 cattle killed and 1 horse injured by the lions. We are still consulting farmers in those areas to verify whether there is other livestock were killed by the lions.

A ground team was dispatched a week ago prior to the capture exercise to trace the lions but without success due to thickness of vegetation in the area.

We were however able to locate the lions from the satellite collar which is on one of them.

The lions has been on farmlands for at least 2 weeks. Farmers were kept up to date on their movements until they were captured today.

The lions were translocated to the north east corner of Bwabwata National Park far away from communities or human settlements. The area has a lot of prey species such as kudu, buffaloes, impala etc. The Ministry also collared the second lion during the capturing process. We believe that with these measures put in place the lions are less likely to cause problems for people.

This is another clear case demonstrating our commitment towards the conservation of our wildlife species and adherence to the the need of our people by providing interventions to HWC cases.

It may not be possible to provide conclusive solutions to HWC incidences in the country but the Ministry will endeavour to find the best preventive and mitigation measure to the aid of our people

DESERT LION NEWS
The much dreaded ( but, in a way, expected) phone call from farmer Samuel of Opdraende farm has unfortunately come.
XPL 127 ( Minki), the Lioness that had escaped euthanasia weeks ago when XPL 75 ( Angela) was put down, REPORTEDLY caught another Cow this weekend and allegedly posed a threat to the occupants at the farmhouse during the night.
The Lioness was seen on the Cow and shot as repeat offender as four Cows had been lost in succession recently to predation. The Lioness’s condition is being described as emaciated.
Once predators reach this stage of desperation they could pose danger to people and herders who are exposed in the fields.
The farmer profusely apologised for having to shoot the Lioness and explained that he really had no other option. He undertook to change to Goat farming which is easier manageable in terms of protection and pledged his continued cooperation to conserve the Desert adapted Lions on condition that he gets support in doing so and wont be left to his own devices.
It has become apparent that the Lioness, given her hopeless condition ( maybe injury induced considering the Huab 4 are still coping somehow?), has latched on to and has become dependent on easy prey i.e. Poultry, Dogs and Livestock which posed a real problem sadly.
The MEFT has been notified.

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