Movie Premier & Book Launch and the Purros Lion Problem
Thursday 24 May 2018
Movie Premier & Book Launch
On 9 May 2018 the final premier of the film, Vanishing Kings II – Desert Legacy, was held at the Namibian National Theatre in Windhoek. This was the fifth and final event that also marked the launch of a book with the same title. Similar events were held in Swakopmund, Johannesburg and Cape Town during the past two months.
Purros Lion Problem
For several weeks an adult male lion has been reported moving along the Gomatum River to Purros where livestock losses occurred (blue squares: see map below). The situation was monitored by Cliff Tjikundi of the Rapid-response team and several Lion Rangers as it escalated into a broader Human-lion conflict problem that extended to the Khumib River. The Lion Rangers and John Heidinger were joined on 14 May and an extensive search was launched along the upper Hoaruseb River to locate the lion.
After three nights of tracking the male lion was located in the Khumib River close to the border of the Skeleton Coast Park.
With permission from the Ministry of Environment & Tourism, the lion was immobilised, fitted with a satellite radio collar and translocated to Sarusas spring 35km further downriver (see map below).
The lion remained close to Sarusas spring for two days (red circles: see map) and then moved eastwards along the course of the Khumib River. The lion then moved northwards and crossed over to the Sechumib River towards Orupembe.
Refurbishment of Mowe Bay Cabin
The extraordinary rainfall in the desert during the past month has caused extensive damage to roads and buildings, including the Mowe Bay Cabin. It became necessary to expedite the planned refurbishment of the Cabin that has braved to harsh elements for almost 50 years. Large amounts of data, biological samples and books stored in the Cabin needed to be secured.
The books, data and samples were packed in boxes, stored in a container and the old dilapidated Cabin was dismantled. During the next two weeks a new foundation will be cast and the Cabin will be rebuilt on the same footprint.
