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Two lionesses that were recently introduced into the main camp at the Addo National Elephant Park were said to be roaming the game viewing area after their release on Monday.
South African National Parks said the sisters, both two-and-a-half-years old, were relocated from the !Khamab Kalahari Reserve on the south-eastern edge of the Kalahari in December and have been acclimatising in one of the bomas.
SANParks spokesperson, JP Louw said the lionesses “are a valuable addition” to the lion population as they bring with them strong, healthy genes that add to the genetic variety.
“There are five other lions in the game viewing area and a further three in what is known as the Nyathi section.
“The two lionesses are both collared for ease of monitoring so that rangers and researchers can observe what habitats they use, their proximity to the males and other predators and which species they prey on,” Louw said.
The collars also enable management to reach a fine balance of managing the lion population carefully in relation to the size of Addo National Elephant Park, and their impact on prey species.
“Their management forms part of a larger initiative to mimic natural processes that regulate lion social behaviour and population growth, which includes swapping individuals between parks to ensure constant introduction of new genes,” said Louw.
