Lion translocations from South Africa to Malawi completed -Africa Parks

African Parks, in partnership with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), and with support from the Dutch Government, the Lion Recovery Fund and the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation on Thursday completed series of Lion translocations from South Africa to Malawi.

A team carefully moves a tranqualised lion from South Africa to Malawi

Wild Lions have been reintroduced to Liwonde National Park two decades after a breeding population was present and seven lions from South Africa joined two males brought from Majete Wildlife Reserve in March to re-establish the species in the park.

African Parks Public Relations Coordinator, Fran Read said in a statement released on  the arrival of the Lions follows the recent reintroduction of cheetah to Liwonde in May 2017, as part of a wider initiative to restore predators to the region.

“This translocation also included introducing an additional five lions into Majete from South Africa to enhance genetic diversity of the founder population in the reserve, where the predators were reintroduced by African Parks in 2012, years after being poached out.

“These latest introductions highlight the ongoing restoration of Malawi’s natural heritage by the Malawian Government and African Parks for the long-term benefit of the people of Malawi. We are excited to share that we have concluded a series of lion translocations to Malawi, reintroducing the species to Liwonde National Park, where the population disappeared 20 years ago,” she said.

African Parks’ Deputy Director of Conservation, Patricio Ndadzela said bringing back Lions restores a key species that is critical to the healthy functioning of the natural system saying it symbolic of the Malawian Government’s commitment to revitalizing its parks and wildlife.

He said the translocation also contributes to the establishment of a significant national predator population and to the development of sustainable tourism economies to promote local livelihoods and socio-economic growth.

“We are immensely proud of the restoration of our country’s parks and are committed to ensuring the ongoing protection of these extraordinary national assets,” Director of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, Brighton Kumchedwa said, adding that “The reintroduction of lions and other emblematic species form a core part of this vision, enabling the rejuvenation of wildlife populations, enhancing tourism and socio-economic development, and contributing to the wellbeing of those living around the parks.”

The latest translocation marks the return of an iconic predator to Liwonde but represents a new chapter for Majete Wildlife Reserve.

In addition to the seven Lions sent to Liwonde from South Africa, five lions were introduced into Majete, bringing the reserve’s population up to 17 while ensuring greater genetic diversity.

The new arrivals, fitted with tracking collars to facilitate daily monitoring, were released on Wednesday August 15th into the wider park from enclosed bomas which supported their adjustment and social bonding.

A century ago, Africa contained more than 200,000 wild Lions but in recent decades, habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict and diminished prey have caused Africa’s lion population to plummet to just fewer than 20,000, eradicating them from up to 90 per cent of their historical range.

Lions are now extinct in 26 African countries, but Malawi has become a bright spot among efforts to conserve the species.

African Parks has worked closely with the DNPW since assuming management of Majete in 2003. Since then, African Parks has transformed the reserve into a big five destination by overhauling law enforcement and repopulating Majete with more than 2,500 translocated animals, among them Lions, Rhinos and Elephants.

After its success restoring Majete, African Parks signed long-term management agreements with the Malawian Government for Liwonde National Park and Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve in 2015.

The Dutch Postcode Lottery, the Wyss Foundation, WWF-Belgium, the People’s Postcode Lottery and Stichting Dioraphte have provided key multi-year support to African Parks for the overall management of these parks.

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Yusuf Jonas
Yusuf Jonas
5 years ago

Phazi la mkango

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