Modern Weights and Measurements of Wild Lions

[Pckts]

AfriCat Namibia
Well done to our AfriCat North team for successfully re-collaring Liluli (Hpl-7)!

If you want to know more about our Lion Research conducted up north on the south western boundary of Etosha, please follow the AfriCat Foundation page!

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

LILULI (Hpl-7) COLLAR REPLACEMENT
Hpl-7 was first collared in June 2015, at the Etosha Roadside waterhole. LILULI, (meaning ‘Dust’ in the Lozi language) is one of three known lionesses of the Roadside Pride aka – Hobatere Campsite Pride, totaling 10, with her three cubs (one male, 2 females).
The GPS-Satellite function of Hpl-7’s first collar, generously donated via Stichting SPOTS, lasted approx. 15 months, with the VHF component still accessible until we replaced it on Sunday 07 May 2017.
Big thanks to our Dutch Charity group, Stichting Spots for once again, sourcing our latest sponsors who funded the new GPS-Satellite collar fitted on Liluli at 05h30 this past weekend.
The bait was set against a huge Combretum tree, soon to be discovered by Liluli’s very hungry 3-some; they had been left on their own for a day or 2, probably out of harms way whilst Liluli was on the hunt. By approx. 3am, Liluli’s call could be heard in the distance, the cubs followed, in a hurry to meet up with their Mom; at that point, we thought that we had seen the last of them, but after tracking, we found that Liluli had most likely not been successful and all seemed interested in the last morsels left by the cubs. Wary, as all lionesses should be, we had to take the first best opportunity to dart her before she disappeared into the fading moonlight.
The dart hit home at 05h30; approx. 20 minutes later we eventually found her lying in the long grass amongst dense Mopane trees. The immobilization went well, her vitals were satisfactory, bloods and various other samples were stored, she weighed in at 148 kg.
Hpl-7 recovered from her ordeal approx. 2.5 hours after she was sedated, to her entire pride calling and encouraging her to join them. As she tried to stand, her three cubs began licking her and purring, a sight that brought tears to most of us looking on.
Another great moment for Lion conservation! Reply