Lion dies during capture

The environment ministry has confirmed that a male lion died due to capture stress during a recent translocation of lions from the Erongo to the Khomas Region. However two lionesses and three cubs were successfully trans-located to a 9 500-hectare farm belonging to the N/a'an ku sê Foundation northwest of Windhoek. The translocation of the lions follows after a pride of three were continuously reported and observed to be causing problems in the the Daures area in the Erongo Region. Spokesperson for the ministry, Romeo Muyunda, said that continued livestock losses have also been reported by communities particularly near the White Lady Lodge. He added that prior to the relocation, the ministry had intervened by capturing and releasing the lions into the Skeleton Coast Park twice, however they still retuned to the area. “We have noticed a strange behaviour in the lions which made us believe that the lions were fed by the people in the vicinity of the lodge. With this behaviour the lions could come very close to people. This is a practice that we strongly discourage and condemn,” said Muyunda. According to him the lions were close to the lodge most of the time and as a result caused more livestock losses to communities.Based on this, a decision was taken to capture and translocate the lions where they will not cause any problems. Two lionesses and three cubs were trans-located to the farm belonging to the foundation. “Unfortunately during the process of capture one male lion died from capture stress,” said Muyunda. According to him the trans-located lions remain state property and will be relocated to a national park once the ministry is satisfied with their behaviour. Muyunda added that human-wildlife conflict prevention and mitigation interventions were also put in place and lions were collared for monitoring purposes. “The ministry's decisions are made in the best interest of conservation in the country, contrary to the claims that suggest otherwise,” he said. This translocation is also in line with the Revised National Policy on Human Wildlife Conflict Management.“We appeal to members of the public and interested parties to ignore and shun advocacies that are aimed at tarnishing our reputable conservation.”ELLANIE SMIT

Lion dies during capture

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-01

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Lion dies during capture

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-01

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