March 2012 AFRICA NEEDS LIONS

Transcription

1 March 2012 AFRICA NEEDS LIONS

2 On 26 th January 2012 a team comprising Dr Ian Parsons, Lion Encounter Zambia / ALERT, Mukuni Big Five and the Zambia Wildlife Authority captured a wild lion that had been designated as a problem animal in the Songwe area of Livingstone. The lion is known to have killed at least three cows since arriving into the area. The lion was darted and moved to Lion Encounter s secure facility in the Dambwa Forest. As this animal was collared Lion Encounter / ALERT contacted carnivore researchers in Zambia as well as in neighbouring Botswana and Zimbabwe to try and ascertain where this lion had originated from. Following contact with Oxford University s WildCru Hwange Lion Project it was thought that this may be the last remaining member of a coalition named the Dynamites from the Zimbabwean National Park. WildCru s Brent Stapelkamp at Dambwa to download data from the wild lion s collar On 3 rd February 2012 researcher Brent Stapelkamp arrived in Livingstone and successfully downloaded the data from the lion s collar, confirming his identity and origin. That data will be sent back to Oxford for analysis and we hope to bring you further details of what is discovered soon. What we know now is that this lion was born in 2002 and was originally in a coalition of seven when he left his natal pride. Over the following years that coalition was reduced to four, and three of those were killed in snares. As the sole remaining member of the coalition he took over the group s name, Dynamite, with his core area around the Gwayi. This now ten year old lion is known to have a history of cattle raiding from his former home.

3 He is known to have lost his pride tenure to two younger males and was last seen in December 2011 when he disappeared, resurfacing in Livingstone on 22 nd January During that time he has travelled at least 150km (as the crow flies), likely travelled through many areas of high human population density and finally crossed a significant natural barrier; the Zambezi River. The full details of his journey will become apparent once the collar s data is analysed. The full information about this lion will be provided to the Zambia Wildlife Authority as discussions continue on what is best for his future. However given his history of livestock killing both previously and more recently upon his arrival into Livingstone, we believe that it is unlikely that a wildlife authority would be willing to release him into an unfenced area where he would have the opportunity to continue coming into conflict with humans.

4 Not surprisingly the early part of February for the Dambwa pride was dominated by the arrival of the wild lion to the nearby enclosures. While not in sight there was little doubt the pride was aware that something had changed. Following several days of vigilance along the closest boundary to the enclosures, the pride finally gave into hunger and was found elsewhere in the site on the 4 th February, feasting. Zulu was busy hoarding pieces in a nearby bush and spent most of the afternoon making sure the girls kept their distance from his stash. As the afternoon progressed and Kwandi, Leya and Loma inched closer looking for anything Zulu had missed; he seemed to sense an ambush was building. As Loma snuck into the bush, Zulu flew at Kwandi who was quite innocently resting nearby as Loma ran off with a chunk of something. Having had enough of Zulu throwing his weight around Kwandi, Leya and Loma moved off but if they thought they were going to get any peace and quiet it was short-lived as Zulu s calls could be heard as he came barrelling through the tall grass before sitting on Loma s head as he sat down. The next few days saw them travel most of the site, splitting their tour in between bouts of returning to the boundary (just to check).

5 By the 8 th they had settled in Kariba. The day started off peacefully, but as the morning progressed the sky over Dambwa grew ominous. As the storm clouds gathered Zulu stood and seemed to be checking the sky in all directions before stopping to watch the clouds to the North. As the rain approached the pride managed to find the smallest bush in the area and all seven piled in. This latest storm was just one of many and the grass height and vegetation has steadily been building over the last few months. Now such is the grass height in places that for several days the lions were unviewable. A welcome appearance on the 14 th found Zulu along the road between Sahara and the Acacia boundary, drinking from a puddle in the road. Knowing that he rarely lets the girls out of his sight, the simplest plan was to wait for him lead us to the females. As he stood from the puddle, his stomach looked suspiciously round and it seemed rather likely that the pride had made a kill and he d popped away for a quick drink. Unfortunately a mere 50m later he made an abrupt turn into the boundary and out of sight. Later in the afternoon they had all come out from the treeline. Now resting close to water pan 2, while they were out of the boundary they were barely any more visible slumped in the tall grass. But confirmation of a kill was made from the glimpses of heaving stomachs, bloody faces and a chorus of furious panting. Having hefted themselves all the way round to the other side of the water pan, by the next day they were at least a little more visible - to start with, anyway. Kela and Zulu seemed wrapt with one another as they groomed each other throughout the morning. Kwandi and Temi sandwiched Rusha into an enforced bath as Leya and Loma played and groomed nearby. But it wasn t long before Rusha led the pride into yet another area where they vanished from view.

6 ALERT is pleased to announce a new study in association with Utah State University. Derek O Donnell, supervised by Dr Julie Young, is arriving to the project in March to conduct a PhD study investigating the development of captive-origin lion cubs compared to that of wild-born lions. Translocation for reintroduction to support declining lion populations is one conservation approach that is thought to be increasingly necessary to the African lion. Though there are several advantages to using wild-caught animals, there are many biological, social and political problems that may arise. Though use of captive-bred animals for translocation is also wrought with complications and speculated risks, there is no published scientific information on the ability of cubs born into a managed-wild environment to captive-bred lions to develop and behave in a manner similar to truly wild, free-ranging lion cubs. To answer the fundamental question of whether they can learn the skills that will allow them to survive in the wild post-release, developmental, social, territorial and other behaviours will be studied in the offspring of our released lion pride at the Ngamo site. These behaviours will be compared later to those shown by the offspring of truly wild, free-ranging lion prides. We look forward to welcoming and working with Derek; and of course look forward to the results of this important study.

7 It was alarmingly dry over December and January in Ngamo. Although we don t want a repeat of last year s flooding, the vegetation in the site has been in dire need of a shower or two. Thankfully the December rains finally arrived, in February. We found the pride in the northern area of Etosha on the 3 rd, which appears to have become the new play area for the Ngamo cubs, and all were still finishing off breakfast. By the afternoon, after another sweltering day, we found Milo panting in the shade of a small tree in the Camp area. We were unable to locate the rest of pride who had no doubt gone to also seek some shade, so spent the research session sympathetically watching Milo and his huge mane in the heat. Fortunately for Milo by 17:30 a thunderous storm cell was forming above the area and in a matter of minutes the heavens opened up. We observed an unsuccessful hunt by the lionesses on the 5 th, although we must point out, little AS5 had decided to tag along with mum and his incessant cries probably did the hunting effort no favours. Ironically though it was he and the rest of the mini-ngamo members that showed the adults what for by taking out and devouring (partly) a tortoise on the 6 th. AS4 was found gnawing on the tortoise s leg but it s more likely that AT1 caught and killed it. Despite AS4 s best efforts she is not quite strong enough at three-months old to break open a tortoise shell on her own. By the 10 th the adults were back in control as far as hunting was concerned. The females were moving through Serengeti East towards water hole 2 in pursuit of a large impala herd. The females formed a perfect linear formation downwind, hidden in the tall grass, some 100m from the herd and watched their prey s movements intently. Unfortunately the herd began to move further off towards water hole 1 and the lionesses obviously felt this time the odds were against them and took to some nearby Acacia s to sleep. Unbeknown to them an impala calf had been left by its mother some 70m from the pride. We watched with baited breath the entire day as the calf continuously rose and broke its cover, yet no lions spotted it. By the afternoon we could no longer see the calf and the pride began to move off south along Route 66 with Kenge leading. As Kenge passed through an area of very tall grass Nala took up the rear and suddenly began to stalk. We spotted a lone impala, which we presumed to be the calf s mother in the area and it seemed Nala was hot on her case. Then out of nowhere Nala and Phyre shot like a bullet over the open grass of the Camp area in pursuit of the previously seen impala calf! The calf circled frantically trying to out run the hungry lionesses but all in vain. Phyre closed in upon the little lamb and grabbed it by the neck. She then sprinted away from the other startled pride members but Ashanti, Kenge and Kwali were not about to let a potential mouthful get away. The females scuffled momentarily over the catch and Kenge, Kwali, Ashanti and Phyre all managed to split the calf adequately. Most surprising was Milo s reaction. He jogged over to the girls but rather than throwing his weight around as usual for a bite he merely sniffed at those with meat and moved off to wait until they had finished!

8 Not even a hoof was left for the rest of pride. By the time the lucky females began to clean themselves up the mini-ngamo pride arrived. KE3, KE4, AS4 and AS5 ran frantically to Kenge and began to lick the blood from her whiskers. They had obviously heard the commotion and braved leaving the den alone in hopes of catching a meaty meal. However they had to make do with another milk-based dinner from Ashanti. On the 17 th the females and toddlers were resting upon Route 66 close to Leopard Tree. It wasn t long before the females were once again up and prowling, and they left the Tree Tops area, leaving the cubs behind in the tall grass. Unfortunately for the avid huntresses though Kenge s two little (and awfully loud) cubs are now at a very mobile and curious age following the pride wherever they go, including hunts. Although it is fantastic to see the pair integrate even further into pride life, their often piercing cries and play bouts do muck up the lionesses hunting opportunities at times!

9 * The Daily Pride Support Monde Primary School Intern 2012 here LionAid to host conference Our partner LionAid recently announced the securing of funds from UK s Defra to host a conference among African lion range states. Delegates from range states including: Senegal, Cameroon, Nigeria, Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Kenya are expected to attend. The conference, which is to be held at the end of March, will provide participants with the opportunity to discuss the issues related to the upgrading of lions from CITES Appendix II to Appendix I. The upgrading could lead to better conservation measures for a species that, despite substantial declines in population numbers and geographic range, is still subject to trade in some regions. In addition, the conference will establish latest estimated population numbers in rage states, progress of National Lion Conservation plans and measures taken by range stages that allow lion trophy hunting to ensure such trade is not affecting conservation status. To visit LionAid s website for more information and further updates, please click here Daniella Rodriques is continuing to raise funds for Monde Primary School in Victoria Falls. After a recent placement at our community project Daniella is hoping to raise enough money to pay for the students annual school fees. Fees cost US $76, or GB 50, a year for each child. For many parents a choice has to be made between feeding their children or giving them an education. To help Daniella s fund raising efforts, please visit her JustGiving page here Nyika: April 2011 Nyika: February 2012 What a difference a year makes. Last March, Nyika (a then five-year old female at Lion Encounter s Dambwa Breeding Program) underwent a massive operation which ultimately saved her life after suffering a ruptured gut. Post-op Nyika struggled for several weeks to regain weight and towards the end of April was severely emaciated. With a lot of care and attention from the lion team, 12 months on Nyika has not only regained her old form but looks healthier than ever. A great success story for both Nyika and the dedicated team!

10 Join Our Pride Membership Program We ve made some change to our pride membership programs. There are still three tiers of membership to choose from, each with a range of benefits but we ve now reviewed those benefits and added some great new ones. Take a look below at the table for more details. You can find out more by clicking here or ing sponsor@lionalert.org Benefit Lion Lioness Cub (U 12s) The most important benefit is the knowledge that you are part of the on-going solution A Welcome Pack by introducing your membership providing you with full information on the benefits available to you ALERT s monthly e-newsletter A high quality photograph from the program by every month A copy of ALERT s annual report by A quarterly worksheet by full of activities A quarterly insider update from the C.O.O, by _ A quarterly stories from the project, as told by staff, volunteers, interns and research students, by _ Advanced notification and priority booking for ALERT events _ Free six-month trial to our sponsor a lion program _ Listing on the website as a supporter _ A souvenir merchandise item Discount on internship placements 5% Annual membership pride (GB )

11 ALERT would like to thank the following individuals and organisations that have contributed financially or in-kind, or who have encouraged others to contribute in support of our programs over the last month: Mrs M Undery Miss V Geddes Dr J Abell Mr S Marshall Miss K Devine S Adeusi Neil Munroe SJ Crowther David Youldon Sakhabuth SI Mr Derek Watts Healey TRB Marijke Saunders Miss N Kelly Mr C Undery Miss K Cooper Miss R Balasuriya Miss KP Everest Mrs H Miller Michaela Channing Louise Homan-Lake Heather Millington Daniella Rodrigues Helen Wilderspin J A McCay King SL Mr P Ireland Mrs N Sherwood Mrs M Hall Mr T Szpiro Miss F Jamieson S Diederichs M Watts