Lion monitoring during the last months

Friday 16 February 2024

The months of November, December and parts of January were dedicated to monitoring the social dynamic changes that occurred amongst the Orphan lionesses in the lower Hoanib river. And monitoring the behaviour of the lioness Xpl 108, during the latter part of her pregnancy, leading up to her giving birth.

In the lower Hoanib river interactions between Charlie and Bravo occurred at regular intervals. Unification of the entire orphan group has not yet occurred since Alpha and her young female cub have avoided interactions with Charlie. Their movements continued to fluctuate between the floodplain, riverbed, and coastal habitat.

Photos one and two and three and four. The young lioness is growing up quickly, and she will soon be fitted with her first satellite radio colour to continue the legacy of intensive monitoring that started with Xpl-10 the Queen Photos one and two and three and four. The young lioness is growing up quickly, and she will soon be fitted with her first satellite radio colour to continue the legacy of intensive monitoring that started with Xpl-10 the Queen

Photos one and two and three and four. The young lioness is growing up quickly, and she will soon be fitted with her first satellite radio colour to continue the legacy of intensive monitoring that started with Xpl-10 the Queen Photos one and two and three and four. The young lioness is growing up quickly, and she will soon be fitted with her first satellite radio colour to continue the legacy of intensive monitoring that started with Xpl-10 the Queen
The young lioness is growing up quickly, and she will soon be fitted with her first satellite radio colour to continue the legacy of intensive monitoring that started with Xpl-10 the Queen.

Wildlife numbers in the Hoanib River have declined somewhat during the last few weeks. Giraffes and Gemsbok are present as well as an abundance of steenboks. A unique sighting of a marabou stork was recorded at Möwe Bay. Wildlife numbers in the Hoanib River have declined somewhat during the last few weeks. Giraffes and Gemsbok are present as well as an abundance of steenboks. A unique sighting of a marabou stork was recorded at Möwe Bay. Wildlife numbers in the Hoanib River have declined somewhat during the last few weeks. Giraffes and Gemsbok are present as well as an abundance of steenboks. A unique sighting of a marabou stork was recorded at Möwe Bay.

Wildlife numbers in the Hoanib River have declined somewhat during the last few weeks. Giraffes and Gemsbok are present as well as an abundance of steenboks. A unique sighting of a marabou stork was recorded at Möwe Bay.
Wildlife numbers in the Hoanib River have declined somewhat during the last few weeks. Giraffes and Gemsbok are present as well as an abundance of steenboks. A unique sighting of a marabou stork was recorded at Möwe Bay.

Xpl-108
The behaviour of the lioness during the period pre-birth was studied in great detail. There were many false alarms as the lioness investigated numerous potential denning sites. She finally gave birth during the night of 20 January 2024 and has remained in the same area subsequently. She has left the cubs only once but retuned four hours later. The cubs are hidden in a cave over-hang behind thick vegetation and the number of cubs is yet unknown.


Lioness visiting Raleigh spring at the start of the Torah holiday season. Lioness visiting Raleigh spring at the start of the Torah holiday season.


The lioness searched through large sections of the Koigab river and it’s tributaries. She inspected numerous locations that were suitable for denning.

shortly before the lioness gave birth, she killed a large gemsbok on large open gravel plain. She dragged then gemsbok carcass for almost one kilometre and lodged it under an overhang of a cave. shortly before the lioness gave birth, she killed a large gemsbok on large open gravel plain. She dragged then gemsbok carcass for almost one kilometre and lodged it under an overhang of a cave.
shortly before the lioness gave birth, she killed a large gemsbok on large open gravel plain. She dragged then gemsbok carcass for almost one kilometre and lodged it under an overhang of a cave.

One week before giving birth the lioness moved to the ocean. She appeared to avoid the Torra Bay Holiday fishing area and walked 40 km to the south. There she killed and consumed 3 Cape fur seals before returning to give birth near the gemsbok carcass.

One week before giving birth the lioness moved to the ocean. She appeared to avoid the Torra Bay Holiday fishing area and walked 40 km to the south. There she killed and consumed 3 Cape fur seals before returning to give birth near the gemsbok carcass. One week before giving birth the lioness moved to the ocean. She appeared to avoid the Torra Bay Holiday fishing area and walked 40 km to the south. There she killed and consumed 3 Cape fur seals before returning to give birth near the gemsbok carcass.

One week before giving birth the lioness moved to the ocean. She appeared to avoid the Torra Bay Holiday fishing area and walked 40 km to the south. There she killed and consumed 3 Cape fur seals before returning to give birth near the gemsbok carcass. One week before giving birth the lioness moved to the ocean. She appeared to avoid the Torra Bay Holiday fishing area and walked 40 km to the south. There she killed and consumed 3 Cape fur seals before returning to give birth near the gemsbok carcass.
One week before giving birth the lioness moved to the ocean. She appeared to avoid the Torra Bay Holiday fishing area and walked 40 km to the south. There she killed and consumed 3 Cape fur seals before returning to give birth near the gemsbok carcass.

Fit new camera-trap in the Huab River. A brand new camera mountd at Raleigh spring at the Uniab Delta was stolen one week after the Torra Bay Holiday season started. Fit new camera-trap in the Huab River. A brand new camera mountd at Raleigh spring at the Uniab Delta was stolen one week after the Torra Bay Holiday season started.
Fit new camera-trap in the Huab River. A brand new camera mountd at Raleigh spring at the Uniab Delta was stolen one week after the Torra Bay Holiday season started.

Breakdown near the Koigab river.Breakdown near the Koigab river.