Hoaruseb Lions Update

Wednesday 24 February 2021

Hunting success

​Scattered rain showers during recent weeks have resulted in prey animals vacating most of the ephemeral rivers (see above: 26 Jan & 22 Feb 2021). The area around the lower Hoaruseb river, however, have not received any rain and large numbers of gemsbok and springbok are attracted to the riverbed. Since their return to the Hoaruseb on 17 Feb 2021 the two Orphan lionesses, Xpl-106 “Alpha” & Xpl-109 “Bravo”, have been unusually successful in capturing four prey animals in eight days. They killed a sub-adult gemsbok on 17 Feb, an adult male springbok on 19 Feb, a juvenile gemsbok on 21 Feb and another sub-adult gemsbok during the early morning hours on 23 Feb 2021.

Abundance of prey along the lower Hoaruseb river 

Two lionesses scanning for prey at twilight

Remains of a juvenile gemsbok killed by the lionesses

Spectacular scenery of the lower Hoaruseb river – Springbok gorge

Twin palm trees

More rainfall in the surrounding area and flooding of the Hoaruseb river is expected over the next few weeks that will result in the dispersal of the prey animals. But until such time, the Orphan lionesses are expected to remain in the lower Hoaruseb river. The Rapid-response Team and Lion Rangers from Purros are active in the area to ensure that the livestock from Purros do not venture past Leyland’s Drift to the Skeleton Coast National Park and that the lions remain west of Leyland’s Drift.

Leyland’s Drift