Two newly introduced lionesses, released into the Main Camp/Colchester area of Addo Elephant National Park (AENP) on Monday, March 3, are now roaming the game viewing area near Gqeberha.
Their arrival is a boost to the park’s lion population, contributing strong, healthy genes that enhance genetic diversity.
According to a statement issued by South African National Parks (SANParks), the two-and-a-half-year-old sisters were brought in from the !Khamab Kalahari Reserve on the southeastern edge of the Kalahari over December and have been acclimating to the area in one of the park’s bomas.
The statement said there are five other lions in the game viewing area and a further three in what is known as the Nyathi section.
Commenting on the two lionesses, the statement read: “The two lionesses are both collared for ease of monitoring so that rangers and researchers can observe what habitats they use, their proximity to the males and other predators, and which species they prey on.
“The collars will also enable management to reach a fine balance of managing the lion population carefully in relation to the size of the park and their impact on prey species.”
“Their management forms part of a larger initiative to mimic natural processes that regulate lion social behavior and population growth, which includes swapping individuals between parks to ensure the constant introduction of new genes,” the statement concluded.
