LIONS - Nkorho & Elephant Plains Area

I am saddened by the loss of an entire lion pride due to the fact that they left the reserve where they were protected. I then read Joe14's comments regarding the communities surrounding the reserve and the apparent 'zoo' that is the Sabi Sands/Kruger area. There are very few truly wild places left in the world and the Kruger is definitely one of those places. 

I feel that these comments are completely unfounded, the communities had nothing to do with the lions being shot, the decision to shoot the pride was taken solely by the conservation authorities. This decision to shoot the pride was made, as far as I am aware, without the consultation of the lodges, who would have provided a means of returning the lions to the reserve, as in the previous cases of the leopard leaving the reserve.

The communities are well aware of the importance and benefit of having the wildlife, many of the surrounding villages are where the bulk of the lodge and hospitality staff are sourced. They do however have a right to the safety of their possesions and person and with lions roaming this could not be gauranteed. This however does not warrant the senseless killing of an entire pride!

The loss of these lions should be seen as a lesson that we learn from and can avoid in future, through proper communication by all of the involved parties, be they the conservation authorities, the communities and the lodges. These are issues that we have to deal with in conservation and yes there are times that we are overjoyed by a result or outcome but then there are days, like today where things don't work out, but we have to continue and work at getting it right.

Aquilla that is bad news. It completly ruined my day.

I created a long responce ( but deleted it)

all i can post now is.

 

Take Care

 

thanks Aquila, that's such sad news...

 

Thanks for that information Aqulia, as well as the earlier info about the Mapogo/buffalo rumor. I can't tell you how upsetting that news is about the Sand River pride. It creates feelings that I would prefer to repress, feelings of anger and bitterness toward the authorities in the area and the local community. It's depressing to read about such a blatant lack of respect for nature from these individuals, and this is not an isolated occurrence as the story mentions. The leopard database here mentions similar occurrences with former leopards of the Sabi Sands. Obviously the reserve properties have been unable to convince the local communities that it is in everyone's interest to show some basic respect for the native animals of the area. To be honest, this culture of killing animals that stray from the protected reserves leads me to view the entire Sabi Sands/Kruger area as almost an overgrown zoo, since the animals are not free to leave the area without immediate and lethal consequences.

Sad news.... The oldest Mapogo's 5 sub adult male cubs are dead. The Sand River pride consisting of 2 lionesses and their 5 sub adult male cubs were shot and killed after breaking out of the reserve.

http://www.leopardhills.com/blog/index.php?itemid=217

Hi elsalioness.  You can get a good idea on when we saw lions in the past from the sightings log.  Click here Although it isn't 100% complete of all the sightings it does have links to the days where pics were taken of the lions at the waterholes. 

Welcome to Africam and the forum.  I do hope you will also join us in the daily created waterhole chat thread where we talk about what we are seeing and hearing at the waterholes.

How often do you see the lions. I really love them. elsalioness:D

the subadult male of the Tsalala pride,

picture taken in may 2008

 

 

Here are 3 pics of 2 members of the Mapogo's. Pictures were taken in May 2008

 

Mr T

 

and the one they call Kinky Tail, on second pic you can see why they call him so

Hi Joe, about the Mapogo being killed that is apparently not the case as the one said to have been killed was seen just hours ago along with 3 of the others and reports are showing all 6 have been seen recently. One guide speculates the lion reported killed by buffalo may have been a rogue male.

The young male that has integrated into the Eyrefield pride is a mystery. The sub-adult of the Tsalala pride is still apparently hanging around with his older sisters but does disappear and goes out on his own for various time periods so it is possible. I've never known the Tsalala's to be called the Marthly pride though. There is however another young male lion that has been frequenting the Mala Mala area lately and was first thought to be one of the Windmill youngsters but it seem all of them are accounted for. This young male is said to be about 3 yrs of age. Hopefully future reports will clear up the mysteries as to who these two young males are.