Monitoring Lions & Training Rangers
Saturday 31 March 2018
Monitoring of Ugab lions
During the month of Mar 2018, the Ugab lions, who were involved in the human-lion conflict incident at White Lady Lodge during Jan 2018, have remained in the upper section of the Ugab River opposite the Brandberg (see map below).
Orphans expand their movements
Two of the Orphan cubs of the Hoanib Floodplain that have been frequenting Oasis spring at the mouth of the Hoanib River have started moving further afield as they are becoming more confident and skilled in hunting for larger animals, such as gemsbok and ostrich. They are now regularly crossing the dune-belt between the coast and the Floodplain (see map below).
Training & human-lion conflict
The first 12 specially designed “Early-warning” collars were completed. During the next few months these collars will be fitted to lions at two conflict “hot-spot” areas along with two “Logger Early-warning” units. This forms part of the implementation of the NW Human-lion Conflict Management Plan. The training programme continued with a focus on local tour-guides that operate in the Hoanib River. Emphasis was placed on off-road driving and the maintenance of existing tracks.
Film Premieres
The second film by Into Nature Productions, called Vanishing Kings II – Desert Lion Legacy, will be screened during four public premiere events in Johannesburg (11 & 13 Apr 2018), Swakopmund (26 Apr 2018) and Windhoek (8 May 2018). These events will also be used for the launch of a new publication: Vanishing Kings – Lions of the Namib Desert. Details of these events will be made available soon by the respective hosts.
11 Apr 2018 Johannesburg – Wilderness Safaris
13 Apr 2018 Boksburg – Land Cruiser Club of Southern Africa
26 Apr 2018 Swakopmund – The Dome
9 May 2018 Windhoek – TOSCO
Flooding Rivers
The rains have been late this year. Extensive showers further inland during the past two weeks resulted in flash floods along the Hoaruseb, Hoanib and Ugab Rivers. The flooding was extensive in both the Hoaruseb and Hoanib Rivers (photos) and restricted access to the area by vehicle.
