Ester van der Merwe
One of Addo Elephant National Park's more popular inhabitants, the lion known to some members of the public as Jack, has been successfully relocated to the Shamwari Private Game Reserve.
Four-year-old Jack's move forms part of the Carnivore Management Plan of the Frontier Region.
SANParks' Fayroush Ludick, says this plan aims to restore or mimic the natural social dynamics of lion behaviour that would be found in large conservation systems, like the Kruger National Park or the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
She says the tenure of dominant pride male coalitions is three years, on average, and therefore pride take-overs are mimicked by switching male coalitions across the managed parks.
Jack has pure Kalahari genes and therefore has valuable genetics which will aid in improving the genetic integrity of Shamwari’s lion population. Shamwari has two prides of lions in their reserve.
It is hoped that Jack will join up with what is known as the Shamwari northern pride.
