Addo Elephant National Park: Lion relocated to Shamwari Private Game Reserve
South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that one of Addo Elephant National Park’s most popular lions has been successfully relocated to the Shamwari Private Game Reserve. The lion known by some members of the public as Jack is four years old and has pure Kalahari genes. The move forms part of the Carnivore Management Plan of the Frontier Region (the administrative area of the Addo Elephant, Camdeboo, Karoo and Mountain Zebra National Parks). This plan aims to restore or mimic the natural social dynamics of lion behaviour that would be found in large conservation systems such as the two million hectare Kruger National Park or three million hectare Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Due to the continued severe drought experienced in Addo Elephant National Park over the past seven years, the lion population will remain small to assist in the recovery of the prey species and predator-prey dynamics in the national park. After Jack’s move, only five lions will remain in Addo's main game viewing area. The removal and reintroduction of male lions into and out of Addo Elephant National Park also plays an important role in preventing inbreeding within this population and therefore aids in maintaining the genetic integrity of its lion population.
Shamwari Private Game Reserve has two prides of lions in their reserve. It is hoped that Jack will join up with what is known as the Shamwari northern pride. Shamwari Private Game Reserve is located 75 km outside Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) in South Africa's Eastern Cape.
