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I think that Sanparks' priority is to ensure visitors' safety before finally introducing lions into the park , and I think one of the first steps is to put up a fence around the main camp . I would really hate to have to share my evening braai with a couple of hungry lions !
In fact when I was there a few weeks ago , they were actually busy planting poles for a perimeter fence around the main camp . So , if we remain patient , then I am quite sure we will indeed see lions there before year's end .

I saw an advert in the paper on Saturday for tenders to put up an 18 km predator proof fence in Karoo National Park.

Why would they relocate lions from Addo to KNP? It's not as if Addo has too many lions roaming around. We were in Addo over the weekend and heard that there were a total of 11 lions in the park and of this 11 some were in the other areas such as Kazouka(spelling??).

Is 11 the max number that can survive in Addo? Anybody know how many lion a park can have based on its size?

Hi Bartman

Just check the lion thread in Addo, and you will see there are 20+ lions in Addo, with about half in the main game viewing section, and the others spread out in Kuzuko etc.

You will also read earlier in this same thread that Megan implied clearly the lions would most likely come from Addo stock -- disease free Kalahari lions etc. This would help avoid inbreeding in Addo, especially if they could get some young males out to Karoo NP.

At present I am not sure that anybody would risk taking Kalahari lions directly to Karoo, since the last few months have not been good in the Kalahari, with a number of lions dying from canine distemper?? or similar virus picked up from stray dogs on the borders of the park.
I was there last month, and saw a young male lion near Mata Mata that looked like death warmed up...
Addo lions sound right to me!

God bless,

Friedrich von Hörsten

Hi Friedrich

Thanks for that insight. I was unaware that there were different species of lion... never too old to learn!!

I read in an earlier post that someone suggested introducing lion into MZNP. Would anyone know if this is a future plan? Although there are cheetahs, buffalo and black rhino the rest camp is unfenced and I guess some folk would have similar objections to having fences going up as is happening in KNP.

I personally would love to see the introduction of lion into MZNP.

Regards
Ross

I am not sure if it can be called sub-species, it is more like different families.

The idea is to enlarge MZNP to amalgamate with camdeboo, a long project that could take a couple of years, but then the park should be able to sustain lion.

I am not sure if any target dtae has been set.

Hi all,
Yes, things are moving forward. The electric fence has been constructed around the restcamp, camping ground and fossil trail to ensure visitors can saefly walk around the accommodation area.

The remaining small section of fence around the Park will probably be completed in the next 2-3 months and after this, lions will be moved into a boma for a month or so before release.

I will post more info on the Karoo lions once it becomes available.

And for those of you who would like to see the fence , well , here it is . All of 1 meter high , and about 1,5 meters wide .
When I asked a staff member at the reception about what she thinks about the fence being so low , she said :" They say a lion does not jump , but we will just have to see ".
I must say , I would also have some doubts about my safety if I was to see a full-grown , 1 meter high lion , glaring at me from the other side of that fence !

They should not worry the fence if there is sufficient food, but if not,then worry. I am told that a lion chased a kudu over the wall at *k*k**j* in *t*sh* and there is a similar arrangement in front of it there.

Anyone have any news if the Addo lions have been relocated to KNP yet? If so, how are they doing?

Saw that fence about 3 weeks ago, and I am sure that if a Lion wanted to jump it, it would.

Missing the Karoo terribly now...

Is there any indication when the introduction of lion at Karoo NP will occur? Are there any hiena at Karoo NP yet?

Hope they will be as successful there, as they were at Addo.

I was in the park this past Saturday night. The lion proof fence around the main camp is completed. They are still busy with the fence around the camping area and I presume that a similar fence wiil have to be erected around the personnel living quarters. It seems that the lions will not be released before September and then only in a boma for a certain period before being released to roam the rest of the park.

There is no known hyenas in the park.

Hi Megan

I know from one of your previous posts that 6 lions/lionesses are being kept in Addo ready to be relocated to Karoo, but what is the 'lion' carrying capacity of Karoo NP?

Thanx
Wanda