Addo Outings 2015

[Mel]

True, the lions are a tourist magnet. But there are other lions as well. And Josie had cubs as well, so in total they got 5 more lions
at the moment than they had before. And that's the next question: How many adult lions can Addo sustain? Will some of the now
young one be relocated at some point or are they all meant to stay.

[PJL]

I've spoken to some of the staff about this before Mel - wondering whether they would look for them and care for them if found etc. The answer was yes in this case, because wild lion are in decline - their population has more than halved since 1990. The same would apply if it were a rhino, and there have also been interventions with elephants in the past. Agreed, if it were a warthog they wouldn't bat an eyelid, but their populations are not under the same threat.

In terms of how many lion the park can support, I had heard that some thought that a population between 8 and 15 was ideal. Aardlam is quite an old lioness and may not live too much longer. I'm not 100% certain yet, but there was a suggestion that Josie might now be down to 2 cubs... in which case even with Gina's cubs, we're looking at a total of about 13 lion (5 of which cubs) for the time being, which should be sustainable.

[Mel]

Thanks for this info, PJL! However, do you think, SanParks would do the same if it was in Kruger or Kgalagadi? Rhetorical question...
I reckon, this action is Addo specific since there are not that many lions compared to other parks. And I think if it had happened in
Mountain Zebra or the Karoo, the same actions would be taken for the same reasons.

Not critizing, just voicing my opinion. Obviously, I don't mind lions in Addo myself either I was just wondering.

[Lisbeth]

Great news, Pete and for whatever reason, I am happy that they were saved Are there lions all over the park?

[PJL]

Mel you're right - in the larger parks I don't think they would have intervened. The larger sizes of KNP/KTP would make the task almost impossible as well. I think with larger lion populations in those parks it would be easier for them to recover from losses, whereas it would be harder in Addo and there would have suddenly been a very limited gene pool.

Lis, there are lion found in all areas of the main game area at Addo. Also in Nyathi and Kuzuko areas of greater addo.

[Lisbeth]

The only ones that we have not seen, were hidden behind a bush at Carol's Rest

[Flutterby]

Just caught up here now. So sad to hear about Gina's death and the possible death of the cubs, only to read a couple of pages later that the cubs are alive!! Thanks for keeping us updated.

Lovely pics of the piglets and the blackie!! You were brave to let it get so close! We've had one virtually touching our car, but that was entirely unintentional and as a result I'm now very wary of black rhinos!!

[PJL]

The cubs are apparently doing a lot better now after being found and taken in to care. They are being kept in a boma and all being well will be re-introduced to the park in about 6 months time.

[Lisbeth]

I hope that there is more space than shown

How do they learn to catch a prey? (When they are hungry they will learn ?)

Isn't 6 month too much?

Questions from a perfect ignorant

[PJL]

I was also thinking that the space looks a bit limited Lis, but from other pics I think that the inner wires aren't electric. They'll probably be fed warthog for the next few months and then introduce some live ones for them to chase around - preferably without tusks! They'll soon pick up the hunting aspect... it's quite natural for lions... unlike cheetah