Relocated lions return to Ngonga, raising alarm
Ministry says killing the predators a last resort
The ministry has announced plans to recapture the pride, along with other lions in the area, and relocate them to a more remote section of Bwabwata National Park.
The environment ministry has addressed concerns over the return of previously relocated lions to their former territory in the Ngonga area.
A pride of six lions—two adult females and four cubs—was successfully relocated on 9 May from Ngonga to the Kasimba area within Bwabwata National Park.
However, just days later, the group crossed the B8 road at Kwando Gate and returned to their original territory.
Their return has caused considerable unease among local communities, particularly livestock farmers, who have repeatedly reported attacks on their livestock.
In April, the ministry, in collaboration with the Kwando Carnivore Project, had already introduced protective measures: nine livestock enclosures were reinforced with opaque plastic sheeting to prevent lions from seeing and targeting the animals. “This intervention initially proved effective – no further night-time attacks inside the enclosures were reported,” the ministry said.
However, isolated incidents have continued, with cattle being killed during the day outside protected enclosures.
New plan
To help mitigate the risk, a lioness was fitted with a GPS collar as part of an early warning system, enabling authorities to monitor the pride’s movements and alert nearby residents in time.
The ministry has now announced plans to recapture the entire pride — including the lions that could not be relocated during the first attempt due to logistical challenges. This time, the animals will be moved to the more remote Omega-3 area within Bwabwata National Park, in an effort to prevent their return to Ngonga.
“We fully understand the concerns of local residents,” the ministry said in a recent statement. “Our top priority is the safety of the community, without compromising conservation principles.”
The ministry reaffirmed that killing the lions would remain a last resort. Priority will instead be given to targeted relocations and improving monitoring and response capacity in the conflict zone.
A pride of six lions—two adult females and four cubs—was successfully relocated on 9 May from Ngonga to the Kasimba area within Bwabwata National Park.
However, just days later, the group crossed the B8 road at Kwando Gate and returned to their original territory.
Their return has caused considerable unease among local communities, particularly livestock farmers, who have repeatedly reported attacks on their livestock.
In April, the ministry, in collaboration with the Kwando Carnivore Project, had already introduced protective measures: nine livestock enclosures were reinforced with opaque plastic sheeting to prevent lions from seeing and targeting the animals. “This intervention initially proved effective – no further night-time attacks inside the enclosures were reported,” the ministry said.
However, isolated incidents have continued, with cattle being killed during the day outside protected enclosures.
New plan
To help mitigate the risk, a lioness was fitted with a GPS collar as part of an early warning system, enabling authorities to monitor the pride’s movements and alert nearby residents in time.
The ministry has now announced plans to recapture the entire pride — including the lions that could not be relocated during the first attempt due to logistical challenges. This time, the animals will be moved to the more remote Omega-3 area within Bwabwata National Park, in an effort to prevent their return to Ngonga.
“We fully understand the concerns of local residents,” the ministry said in a recent statement. “Our top priority is the safety of the community, without compromising conservation principles.”
The ministry reaffirmed that killing the lions would remain a last resort. Priority will instead be given to targeted relocations and improving monitoring and response capacity in the conflict zone.
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