Orphaned lion cubs get new home
STAFF REPORTER
WINDHOEK
Two lion cubs were safely relocated to a 25 000-hectare protected reserve this week.
The cubs are survivors of a human-wildlife conflict incident in which their mother was shot and killed in the Sesfontein area in March. A third cub was not so lucky and it is believed that it may have died of hunger between the beginning of April and the end of May.
The two cubs were translocated to the N/a'an ku se Foundation on Wednesday in a joint operation by the environment ministry and the foundation.
According to a statement issued by the N/a'an ku se Foundation, the two cubs were left orphaned when their mother was shot in the Anabeb Conservancy after she had caught livestock belonging to local farmers.
A few days after the lioness was killed, the starving cubs tried to catch some livestock.
“The ministry at the time decided to relocate the cubs, estimated to be between seven and eight months old, to ensure their survival.”
N/a'an ku se Foundation volunteered to assist the ministry in capturing and relocating the cubs.
The N/a'an ku se team, which included Marlice van Vuuren, executive director of the foundation, and a team of veterinarians, was able to locate and immobilise the two remaining cubs with the assistance of ministry rangers and the Desert Lion Conservation Trust.
The cubs, now about eight to 10 months old, were transported to TimBila Nature Reserve, where they will be kept in a soft-release boma until they can join a new pride of other conflict-causing lions and be released onto the reserve, giving them a second chance in life. The lions remain the property of the government.
WINDHOEK
Two lion cubs were safely relocated to a 25 000-hectare protected reserve this week.
The cubs are survivors of a human-wildlife conflict incident in which their mother was shot and killed in the Sesfontein area in March. A third cub was not so lucky and it is believed that it may have died of hunger between the beginning of April and the end of May.
The two cubs were translocated to the N/a'an ku se Foundation on Wednesday in a joint operation by the environment ministry and the foundation.
According to a statement issued by the N/a'an ku se Foundation, the two cubs were left orphaned when their mother was shot in the Anabeb Conservancy after she had caught livestock belonging to local farmers.
A few days after the lioness was killed, the starving cubs tried to catch some livestock.
“The ministry at the time decided to relocate the cubs, estimated to be between seven and eight months old, to ensure their survival.”
N/a'an ku se Foundation volunteered to assist the ministry in capturing and relocating the cubs.
The N/a'an ku se team, which included Marlice van Vuuren, executive director of the foundation, and a team of veterinarians, was able to locate and immobilise the two remaining cubs with the assistance of ministry rangers and the Desert Lion Conservation Trust.
The cubs, now about eight to 10 months old, were transported to TimBila Nature Reserve, where they will be kept in a soft-release boma until they can join a new pride of other conflict-causing lions and be released onto the reserve, giving them a second chance in life. The lions remain the property of the government.
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