6 vagrant lions relocated to Kruger National Park
The lions were relocated to the north of the park earlier this month, and they are reported to be settling well in their new territory.
Six lions were relocated from Riverside Farm in Malalane to the northern part of the Kruger National Park (KNP) on August 13, according to SANParks and the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA). This area currently has only a few resident lions.
While some Mjejane residents expressed dissatisfaction with the move, citing the lions’ long-term presence in the area and concerns over one male being left behind, others supported the decision, trusting in the expertise of KNP and MTPA.
The MTPA and SANParks decided to relocate the lions to an area with fewer resident lions to allow them to thrive. MTPA spokesperson Simphiwe Shungube explained the lions had been vagrant on the farm for over a week, posing a risk to workers. He noted that the MTPA, responsible for dealing with dangerous animals outside protected areas, requested KNP’s assistance in darting and relocating the lions to a safer area within the park.
Shungube further clarified that returning the lions to their original area in the park was not an option, as they had been chased away by a new male lion coalition and would likely have been killed or forced to escape the park again, endangering nearby communities. The relocation operation, conducted in August, involved darting, collaring, and safely transporting the six lions to their new territory, where they are currently being monitored and appear to have settled well.
However, some residents were shocked by the relocation, expressing concerns about the dangers of poaching and poisoning in the northern region. One resident, Chanie Eekhout, said: “We have watched these lions grow up in Mjejane and documented their markings and behaviour. Waking up to find they had been moved was a huge shock. We want to know why they were moved and why one young male was left behind.”
SANParks responded by stating that all concerns are taken seriously and that only the lions found together at the time were darted. They emphasised the importance of timing in such operations for the safety of both the animals and the personnel involved, assuring that there were no plans to leave any pride member behind.
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