Reintroduction & Rewilding

[Sanju]

Reintroduction also ensures Gene pool health to overcome inbreeding depression by transferring individuals in between subpopulations on a regular time intervals with a duration of 2-3 years. (These are South African Strain likewise Asian Lion variety should be preserved).

The iSimangaliso Wetland Park has boosted its lion population with the reintroduction of two young males into the uMkhuze section of the World Heritage Site.

In a mutually beneficial arrangement, the pair was donated by a private Limpopo Game Reserve with an excess of mature males, to iSimangaliso where the new genetic lines will strengthen the existing population.

The related males have been placed in a holding boma for several weeks to enable their adjustment to their new environment prior to being released into the fenced 40000 ha (400 km2) uMkhuze section.

They have been collared to enable intensive monitoring of their movements and are expected to remain in a coalition after release . iSimangaliso thanks the parties whose combined support made this introduction possible: African Wildlife Vets and Rodel Finance for costs of veterinary support, Wildlife Vets for undertaking the translocation, the Bateleurs' pilot for voluntary flights, Wildlife ACT for donation of the lion collars, and the source reserve for the donation of the animals.

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