Lion Ranger Training

Monday 22 February 2021

Research Vehicle

Once the Orphan lionesses returned to the safety of the Hoanib Floodplain, the old battered research vehicle was driven to Swakopmund for basic repairs. The new Toyota Land Cruiser that was sponsored by Lion Recovery Fund, Ultimate Safaris, Lionscape Coalition, TOSCO & others is currently being modified for fieldwork (see photos). This vehicle will hopefully be ready for action by late March 2021.

Modifications to the new Land Cruiser
Modifications to the new Land Cruiser Modifications to the new Land Cruiser

 

Brown hyaena road signs

New road signs have been erected at Cape Cross to alert the public of the movements of brown hyaenas that visit the Cape fur seal colony.

Road signs at Cape Cross
Road signs at Cape Cross Road signs at Cape Cross​

 

Uniab Delta leopard

The movements of an adult male leopard have been monitored at the Uniab Delta for the past 18 months. Images captured by a camera-trap at a freshwater spring close to the ocean on four separate occasions during 2020 were compared (photos). Unique spot patterns were identified on the right flank and lower right leg of the male leopard to confirm that it is the same individual photographed in Jan, Aug, Nov & Dec 2020.

Male leopard at the Uniab Delta on 21 Dec 2020
Male leopard at the Uniab Delta on 21 Dec 2020

Comparisons of the spot patterns of a male leopard at the Uniab Delta during 2020
Comparisons of the spot patterns of a male leopard at the Uniab Delta during 2020 Comparisons of the spot patterns of a male leopard at the Uniab Delta during 2020​

 

Lion Ranger Training

During the week of 15 Feb 2021 a training seminar for Lion Rangers was held at Wereldsend. The Rapid-response Team, with assistance from John Heidinger, and IRDNC facilitated the event by gathering approximately 50 Lion Rangers from 9 communal conservancies in Northwest Namibia. The training sessions focused on duties & responsibilities, human-lion conflict management and monitoring. Guided by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry & Tourism, specific training sessions were also held on basic lion behaviour, approaching lion by vehicle and the responsible use of fireworks. The organisers and participants are commended for adhering to Covid-19 safety protocols. more info on the Lion Rangers https://lionrangers.org/

Lion Ranger Training at Wereldsend on 16 Feb 2021



Example of images used during training
Example of images used during training

Rain

Large sections of the Northern Namib have received scattered rain showers that resulted in green growth and flowering on shrubs (photos). Heavier rainfall further inland resulted in flooding of the Ugab, Huab and Hoanib rivers.

Green grass and flowering shrubs on the gravel plains
Green grass and flowering shrubs on the gravel plains Green grass and flowering shrubs on the gravel plains Green grass and flowering shrubs on the gravel plains​​

Lioness at a spring north of Wereldsend


 


Lions return to Hoaruseb river

The two Orphan lionesses, Xpl-106 “Alpha” & Xpl-109 “Bravo”, have returned to the lower Hoaruseb river. The Lion Rangers from Purros have ensured that all livestock are east of Leyland’s Drift and the movements of the lionesses are being monitored.