News
Season greetings and Elefant calves in the Hoanib
Monday 25 December 2023
On behalf of the entire Desert Lion Conservation Trust, I would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude for all your valuable contributions to DLC over the past year. Christmas is a time for reflection and gratitude. We do not want to miss the chance to convey our appreciation for the gifts and assistance you have provided to us, whether directly or indirectly. Your involvement in our mission for the desert lions has been invaluable. ..read more >>
Torra Bay Campsite Holiday Season 2023/2024
Sunday 3 December 2023
Desert Lion Conservation will monitor the movements of all desert lions in the area of Torra Bay. ..read more >>
Desert Lion news november 2023
Wednesday 29 November 2023
Orphans Re-unite The three Orphan lionesses (Xpl-106 “Alpha”, Xpl-109 “Bravo” & Xpl-114 “Charly”) are referred to as such, because their mother died when they were 10 months old. Miraculously the three orphaned cubs survived by swimming onto an island at an oasis near the coast, where they learnt how to catch comorants and other wetland birds. ..read more >>
Beau’s Pride attending Desert Dash
Thursday 19 October 2023
We are proud to support the “Desert Lion Conservation Team” participating in the 2023 Nedbank Desert Dash cycling race, and we will all be there to cheers and welcome the riders when they arrive in Swakopmund on the morning of 9 December 2023. “Go Team DLC!” ..read more >>
Xpl-108 “Torra lioness” meets male Xpl-107 “Mwezi”: the future of Coastal Desert lions?
Monday 9 October 2023
A concerted effort was made to monitor the movements of Xpl-108 and to record all the major food items she consumed. After spending several days at the coast in April 2023, the lioness moved inland and spent over five months in the area between the Obab River, to the North, and the Huab River, to the south ..read more >>
September 2023 – Giraffe Hunting in the Hoanib
Sunday 1 October 2023
A major development of the hunting behaviour and predation by the two “Orphan” lionesses (Xpl-106 “Alpha” and Xpl-109 “Bravo) occurred during the past two weeks. Due to our persistent continuity in monitoring the hunting behaviour and food intake of the lionesses, DLC is extremely fortunate to have documented the event. ..read more >>
September 2023 – Hoanib Fieldwork
Sunday 1 October 2023
After spending a few days in the southern mountainous habitat of the Mudorib River, the lioness returned to the Hoanib and moved northwards. On 22 Aug 2023 she killed an adult ostrich in a narrow gorge 5 km north of President’s waterhole. During the night of 26 Aug 2023, whilst still feeding on the ostrich, the lioness moved to drink at the waterhole. ..read more >>
Camera-trap data analysis
Sunday 24 September 2023
Recent advances in AI technology have enabled rapid analysis of vast amounts of camera-trap data. As with most computer/automated systems, the results are only as good as the attributes of the mathematic algorithms and quality and quantity of the data. We are collaborating with SmartParks and other experts to develop a reliable AI programme that can scan a set of camera-trap images and identify key features. With machine learning the AI program identifies people and wildlife species, and can separate them into numerous categories. ..read more >>
Brown hyaena killed by vehicle at Möwe Bay
Tuesday 12 September 2023
Between 19h00 and 20h00 on 5 September 2023, Xhb-22 “Ella” was killed by a vehicle on the main road 2 km southeast of Möwe Bay Station (see photo). Xhb-22 was a breeding female of the Möwe Bay Clan and it is a tragic loss. She was fitted with a new GPS radio collar on 25 July 2023 ..read more >>
Fieldwork: July / August 2023
Friday 1 September 2023
Severe weather conditions prevailed as strong east-winds up to 40 knots ripped through the Northern Namib. The Floodplain Pride was observed during the harsh conditions. They used thick vegetation, rock overhangs or caves for shelter against the sandstorms. ..read more >>
