Hoaruseb Update 17 jan

Sunday 17 January 2021

Leyland’s Drift

The two Orphan lionesses continued to move further east and closer to danger and human-lion conflict at Purros. The Lion Rapid-response Team and community rangers herded the livestock back to Purros and held meetings with the community to discuss the lion situation. In consultation with the Ministry of Environment, Forestry & Tourism it was decided to prevent the lions from moving beyond Leyland’s Drift towards Purros. Scare tactics, such as loud noises, flashing lights and fireworks, were used to drive lions away whenever tried to move beyond Leyland’s Drift. During their third attempt at 3am on 15 Jan 2021, a tumultuous display of fireworks caused the lions to vacate the area and move downriver. By sunrise they were 10.5km west of Leyland’s Drift (see maps). Skeleton Coast Fly-in Safaris are thanked for their assistance at their Leyland’s Drift Lodge.

With rain clouds in the air, flooding of the Hoaruseb river is imminent

Xpl-109 “Bravo” moving towards Leyland’s Drift              Cattle near Purros

Schematic layout of fireworks and lion movements in relation to Leyland’s Drift

Two “Orphan” lionesses move through white granites

Xpl-38 “Tawny” photographed 15 years ago in the same area

Lionesses moving towards the ocean after the Leyland’s Drift event

De Riet, Huab Conservancy

The human-lion conflict problem near De Riet continues as lions from the Huab pride remain near settlements and threaten to kill livestock. Linus Mbomboro of the Lion Rapid-response Team and members of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry & Tourism are monitoring the situation.

Lions causing problems near De Riet

More info in the Huab Lions is availble on the Lion Ranger website https://lionrangers.org/uncategorized/checking-in-on-the-huab-lions/#more-1289