This introduction boosts the establishment of a viable population in iSimangaliso after the last lion was shot by conservationists some 47 years ago for going “rogue” in what was then an unfenced park. The first lion introductions back to iSimangaliso took place in December 2013 and 2014 respectively. The first family of four lions - translocated from Tembe Elephant Park - were released in December 2013 and comprised an adult female and three sub-adult offspring. Their arrival catapulted iSimangaliso to ‘Big 7’ status. This was followed by the coalition of two males (brothers) and three females during the course of 2014.
In order to slow down the breeding rate of the lions, the females underwent partial hysterectomies which is the removal of one horn of the uterus. Lions breed prolifically and this action should halve the number of litters obviating the need for translocations to other parks in the short-term. Since December 2013, three sets of cubs have swelled the ranks.
“The rewilding of iSimangaliso through major ecosystems restoration and the introduction of historically occurring species like lions, cheetah, wild dog, elephant, and buffalo is resulting in more sustainable conservation and economic turnaround of the park with meaningful empowerment and benefits to local communities. The introduction of lions has boosted tourism arrivals to the uMkhuze section of iSimangaliso,” says iSimangaliso CEO, Andrew Zaloumis.
Recent research undertaken through the World Bank shows that iSimangaliso now generates some 7% of the province's tourism GDP and over 7,000 direct permanent tourism jobs.
All iSimangaliso’s adult lions are fitted with satellite collars to monitor their movements for biological and safety reasons. They are tracked daily by Park staff supported by Wildlife Act volunteers with the information feeding into Park management.
“This historic introduction brings iSimangaliso closer to achieving its conservation vision: the full restoration of ecosystems functioning, and the re-establishment of the migratory patterns of historically occurring animal populations – from the top of the Lebombo Mountains to the sea – as they occurred in the times of Shaka and before fencing fragmented the landscape and constrained animal movements. It is a reversal of the historic decimation of game for apartheid military bases, commercial plantations, and other agriculture,” says Zaloumis.
One of the most exciting sightings in the uMkhuze section of iSimangaliso Wetland Park is that of the endangered wild dog (or African Painted Dog). With an estimated 1,400 fully grown adult dogs left globally, the two packs that have been established in iSimangaliso’s uMkhuze form a vital part of South Africa’s metapopulation. A new litter of 14 healthy pups has been spotted and photographed in the last few days.
Another special resident of uMkhuze is the cheetah, a reintroduction success story despite initial challenges. Cheetah are categorised as vulnerable by the IUCN with a population of around 1,500 adults in South Africa. Today, fifteen individuals live within this area some of which have tracking collars to assist management. There is a good chance of seeing these on game drives within the park, especially while the vegetation is still so sparse. On Wednesday 19 October, no fewer than four individuals were spotted, while the previous weekend a visitor at the Mantuma Rest Camp captured photographs of a magnificent cheetah within metres of the huts.
“The success of the lion, wild dog, and cheetah introductions is very rewarding for staff more so because they have overcome early setbacks that placed them in jeopardy. Snaring, though largely under control in the now fully fenced uMkhuze section of iSimangaliso, remains along with rhino poaching, one of the daily challenges facing our rangers,” Zaloumis concluded.
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