Vehicle problems

Saturday 31 October 2020

Hunkap camera-trap

Hunkap is one of the most important and reliable natural springs in the Northern Namib. During the past few months the water table has dropped and the spring has produced very little water. Images from a remote camera shows that a few animals are still visiting the spring, but that there is little available drinking water.

Images of animals visiting Hunkap spring
Images of animals visiting Hunkap spring​ Images of animals visiting Hunkap spring

 

Central Area

Due to the available grazing there is currently a concentration of prey animals in the central section of the study area. As a result there are several groups of lions utilising the area.

Adult male lions from three different prides in the central area
Adult male lions from three different prides in the central area​ Adult male lions from three different prides in the central area Adult male lions from three different prides in the central area

A small pride feeding on a Mountain zebra kill

Adult male lion patrolling his home range

Small cub hunting big prey

Prey animals drinking at a fresh-water spring

A giraffe at sunset

Double-banded sandgrouse drinking after dark

A large group of white-backed vultures waiting to feed on the remains of a lion kill

 

Fitting satellite EW collars

Two new satellite EW collars were fitted to key individual lions from two different prides in the central part of the study area.

Fitting of a new satellite collar and a lioness overseeing the recovery
Fitting of a new satellite collar and a lioness overseeing the recovery​ Fitting of a new satellite collar and a lioness overseeing the recovery

An adult male recovering from anaesthetics

 


Darting of an adult lioness to fit a new satellite collar

 

Floodplain Pride

The young lioness Xpl-114 “Charlie” is doing well following the death of the legendary lioness Xpl-69. During the past month she has met up briefly with both the Hoanib Pride and the two “Orphan” lionesses of the Hoanib Floodplain.

Xpl-114 “Charlie” near Amp’s Poort
Xpl-114 “Charlie” near Amp’s Poort

 
New research vehicle

The Toyota Land Cruiser that was sponsored by Lion Recovery Fund, Ultimate Safaris, Lionscape Coalition, TOSCO & others is currently being modified for fieldwork. The new design is drawing from the experiences of the previous three vehicles over a 35-year period (see link).

Images of the modification designs of the new research vehicle
Images of the modification designs of the new research vehicle​ Images of the modification designs of the new research vehicle

Images of the modification designs of the new research vehicle Images of the modification designs of the new research vehicle

The current research vehicle is celebrating its seventh year of relentless work in the harsh conditions with regular mechanical breakdowns.

Another breakdown in the Mudorib River.
Another breakdown in the Mudorib River.