During the past week the Lion Rangers assisted Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) in collaring two lions, and adjusting the fit of one collar, in the Hobatere Tourism Concession. Long-known for lion prides, Hobatere has seen a recent bump in lion numbers, due to males dispersing from Etosha breeding with females from the Hobatere pride.

Part of the dynamics of a growing pride necessitates the collaring of subadult lions, particularly males, before they disperse from their natal pride to roam on their own. Following the leadership of MEFT Large Carnivore Coordinator Uakendisa Muzuma, the Lion Rangers have been proactive in ensuring that the Hobatere subadults are collared before they disperse. In the past year, no fewer than eight Hobatere subadults have been fitted with satellite/GPS collars to monitor their movements and limit human-lion conflict on communal lands. This most recent operation saw our collaring team fit collars to the young male, OPL-37, young female OPL-38, adjust the collar fitting of the young male OPL-39, and collar another young male, OPL-40. Together these subadults will hopefully form the core of a strong Hobatere lion population for years to come.

The operation was performed smoothly (minus a few bumps and bruises to our team navigating the deep bush) and all lions recovered without incident from the immobilizations. The Hobatere lions are monitored by MEFT staff based at Galton Gate in western Etosha. Thanks to veterinarian Dr. HO Reuter for assisting with immobilization and lion monitoring and to the staff of Hobatere Lodge.