The Dinokeng Game Reserve has introduced a new male lion to the reserve on 3 June 2021, as part of our lion management. The DGR hosts free roaming lions – they have to fend for themselves – but still we have to implement formal lion management, as any smaller game reserve. Indeed, there are only two game reserves in South Africa – the Kruger National Park and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park – that are big enough for a self-regulating lion population. All other parks have to take measures to keep predator-prey ratio in balance and avoid inbreeding.
The new lion was swapped with another reserve to keep our gene pool healthy. Such swaps and introductions always come with a risk. Animals need to be darted and transported over long distances, they find themselves in new unknown territories and they may want to get back to where they came from.
Although closely monitored the Kwandwe male lion managed to break out from the game reserve. With trackers on the ground and the support of helicopters we were able to locate him in the Buffelsdrift area, dart him and bring him safely back into the reserve. He will be placed in the predator boma to give him time to settle in and get rid of his homing instinct. He will be collared, to ensure we are able to track him closely.
No lion nor humans were harmed in the process.
At the Dinokeng Game Reserve we believe applying the spirit of UBUNTU to the environment will make the world a better place. If we take care of nature, nature will take care of us.
We are pioneering a conservation model where humans and wildlife exist in harmony. By this we are creating a foundation for sustainable eco-tourism as means of livelihood for future generations of our communities.
