Torra Bay & Coastal lions Updates
Wednesday 11 January 2023
Monitoring the movements of lioness Xpl-108 in the seasonal Torra Bay angling area
9 January 2023
After spending five days in the reeds at Raleigh spring next to the main road and feeding mainly on juvenile Cape fur seals that she found along the bay in front of the spring, the lioness Xpl-108 paid one last visit to the beach at sundown. With no seals in view, she moved northwards. At the break of dawn she was feeding on a seal pup at the mouth of the Uniab river. This is a favorite fishing spot for Torra Bay visitors and trouble was expected with potential interactions between the lioness and the anglers. Fortunately Peter Sander (acting CEO of DLCT) was here to assist and he visited all the fishing parties and informed them of the situation. The visitors were most respectful and understanding, although the lioness was less forgiving. The vehicles and people walking on the beaches disturbed her and she moved east along the river’s edge. She passed through the famous Uniab waterfall, searched for shade next to boulders but eventually settled inside the thick reed-beds.
Xpl-108 visiting the beach near Raleigh spring.
Xpl-108 with a seal pup at the mouth in the Uniab river. Peter Sander driving along the beaches and
communicating with anglers.
Xpl-108 moved past the famous Uniab waterfall.
Xpl-108 search for shade next to boulders.
10 January 2023
The lioness waited until long after dark before emerging from the vegetation. She moved back to the ocean and caught a young sub-adult seal one kilometre north of the Uniab mouth – another favorite fishing spot. Peter Sander was once again instrumental in communicating with the anglers. The lioness dragged the remains of her carcass up a side-wash and out of view. After battling with scavengers over the last scraps, she abandoned the remains, drank water at a small spring and settled for the day a few kilometres inland.
The lioness Xpl-108 feeding on her seal carcass and regularly calling for her sisters.
At dawn the lioness dragged the remains of her food up a narrow gorge.
Lioness protecting the remain of her seal carcass from jackals.
Lioness Xpl-108 drinking from a beautiful spring a short distance from the ocean.
Lioness searching for shade to rest-up for the day.
11 January 2023
At dusk the lioness returned to the ocean. She moved southwards and, after eating two small seal pups, and scuffling with a brown hyaena over the remains, she ended up back in the reeds at Raleigh spring.
Xpl-108 arrives back at the safety of the reeds at Raleigh spring.
