News
Coastal movements and human-lion conflict management at Torra Bay
Friday 2 December 2022
During the past year several groups of lions have frequented the coastal habitats and have utilised marine food sources (mainly Cape fur seals) between the Koigab seal colony, the Uniab Delta and the Hoanib River mouth. The discovery of Cape fur seals and other marine food items by the Desert lion population is a significant development from both a biological and conservation point of view..... ..read more >>
The legacy of Xpl-10
Thursday 27 October 2022
The building and articulation of the skeleton of the legendary lioness Xpl-10 “Queen” was both a challenging and emotional experience. It required nearly three weeks of intense and uninterrupted work to identify and understand the functions and positioning of each of the 287 bones. ..read more >>
Leopard studies and other activities
Thursday 29 September 2022
After discussions with the Ministry of Environment, Tourism & Forestry an agreement was reached to expand research activities to include leopards in and around the Skeleton Coast National Park. The first effort is concentrating on the elusive male leopard of the Uniab Delta. A capture cage and related equipment was setup along a reed-bed at the Uniab Delta. The cage is monitored via satellite in order to respond immediately if the cage has been triggered. ..read more >>
Hoanib lions and cubs
Thursday 15 September 2022
The Orphan lioness Xpl-106 “Alpha” regularly moved her cubs to new and secure lairs. Over a period of four hours, following disturbances caused by tour operators, she moved the cubs from the eastern part of the Floodplain for 15 km to a small cave out of the tourism area. The lioness eventually returned after 36 hours to lead them to a new location. ..read more >>
Obab lionesses update
Tuesday 13 September 2022
The newly designed and modified Land Cruiser research vehicle have performed remarkably well in the field. Despite all the research equipment and additions to the vehicle, it remains relatively light and behaves well over the rough terrain. Several new additions and modifications were added to meet the observation and research requirements. ..read more >>
Death of an Ugab lioness.
Monday 12 September 2022
During mid-May 2022 a mortality signal was received from the Ugab lioness Xpl-116 on the foothills of Brandberg mountain. The first investigation a few days later failed due to the presence of another lion or leopard that was growling when the site was approached on foot. Several weeks later during mid-July 2022, we returned to the site. ..read more >>
In honour of the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Thursday 8 September 2022
Xpl-10 the "Queen" of Desert lions. Born: 1 September 1998. Died: 17 May 2014. ..read more >>
Coastal activities & fitting satellite collars
Thursday 1 September 2022
Following the death of the Obab lioness Xpl-105, several days were spent along the coast searching for the remainder of the Obab pride and collecting data. The weather conditions were variable and extreme - varying between hot easterly winds, cold southwesterly sandstorms and thick coastal fog. The spoor of an adult male leopard was observed at several locations around the Uniab Delta. It is presumably the same individual that has been recorded at the Delta during the last three years. ..read more >>
