Thanda's Wildife Department arrived at Phinda Private Game Reserve on Monday, May 30th, with the intention of relocating two lionesses to Thanda. Dr. Chap Masterson, a wildlife veterinarian, assisted with the relocation, together with the help of Alicia McCall, the State Veterinarian, and Dr Dave Cooper, the standby veterinarian.
We found the lionesses to be very skittish when we entered the boma, and this was probably because they had been darted three days previously when they were first placed in the boma. One lioness went to sleep easily however, the other lioness proved more difficult as the dart bounced off her and consequently, she did not receive the full dosage of tranquilizer. The lioness then climbed a tree while she was still awake and we therefore had to dart her again whilst she was in the tree, with the hope that the disruption would make her climb down the tree. However, she had absolutely no intention of making life easy for us and fell asleep in the tree - not very convenient! We then cut down the tree, taking care that the lioness came down very carefully, and we then eventually moved the animals out of the boma. They had their final Tuberculosis tests were proved negative for the disease. One of the lionesses was collared with a GPS Cellular Collar and they were then transported to Thanda.
The animals arrived at Thanda at 18h30. They both woke quickly from the tranquilizers, within two hours of arriving at Thanda. We fed them an impala to relieve their hunger, as they had been starved prior to being darted to ensure that the drugs would take full effect and to make sure there were no negative side effects.
Both lionesses are settling well in the boma and becoming habituated to the Thanda vehicles. Thus far, the relocation process has been a success.
(photos will come shortly)
Russell Lloyd - Assistant Wildlife Manager
We found the lionesses to be very skittish when we entered the boma, and this was probably because they had been darted three days previously when they were first placed in the boma. One lioness went to sleep easily however, the other lioness proved more difficult as the dart bounced off her and consequently, she did not receive the full dosage of tranquilizer. The lioness then climbed a tree while she was still awake and we therefore had to dart her again whilst she was in the tree, with the hope that the disruption would make her climb down the tree. However, she had absolutely no intention of making life easy for us and fell asleep in the tree - not very convenient! We then cut down the tree, taking care that the lioness came down very carefully, and we then eventually moved the animals out of the boma. They had their final Tuberculosis tests were proved negative for the disease. One of the lionesses was collared with a GPS Cellular Collar and they were then transported to Thanda.
The animals arrived at Thanda at 18h30. They both woke quickly from the tranquilizers, within two hours of arriving at Thanda. We fed them an impala to relieve their hunger, as they had been starved prior to being darted to ensure that the drugs would take full effect and to make sure there were no negative side effects.
Both lionesses are settling well in the boma and becoming habituated to the Thanda vehicles. Thus far, the relocation process has been a success.
(photos will come shortly)
Russell Lloyd - Assistant Wildlife Manager