News
Lion Genetics Talk in Swakopmund
Thursday 13 April 2023
On 7 March 2023 William Versfeld, a geneticist based at Ongava Research Centre, gave a detailed presentation on the genetics of lions in northern Namibia ..read more >>
Social media reports of lions near Swakopmund
Tuesday 7 March 2023
During the past 24 hours rumours spread wildly on several social media platforms that three lions (with a collar) were spotted near Mile 14, approximately 20 km north of Swakopmund, and that they were heading towards the municipal area of Swakopmund. Desert Lion Conservation quickly verified that all of the satellite-collared lions were in their usual home ranges to the north of the Ugab River. ..read more >>
Final Torra Bay Update & Summary Conclusions
Sunday 5 February 2023
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry & Tourism (MEFT) and DLCT collaborated during the two-month period (December - January) to monitor the movements and behaviour of the lioness Xpl-108 and to address and prevent any potential incidents of conflict. The activities of the lioness Xpl-108 were documented in detail during 24-hour cycles for 70 days: from 19 Nov 2022 to 28 January 2023. ..read more >>
Torra Bay & Coastal lions Updates (22 -26 Jan '23)
Thursday 2 February 2023
Hoanib Floodplain Pride - The two Orphan lionesses (“Alpha” Xpl-106 & “Bravo” Xpl-109) and the two small cubs were observed hunting wetland birds at Oasis spring ..read more >>
Coastal lions & Hoanib cubs
Friday 20 January 2023
After spending a significant amount of time with the lioness Xpl-108 in the Torra Bay area, attention was turned to the Orphan lionesses at the mouth of the Hoanib River. The two lionesses “Alpha” Xpl-106 and “Bravo” Xpl-109 were located with the two cubs near Oasis spring west of the dune-belt. Both lionesses and the two cubs were in good condition and they have been spending time hunting cormorants and other wetland birds along the marches at Oasis spring. ..read more >>
Torra Bay & Coastal lions Updates (12-14 Jan 23)
Wednesday 18 January 2023
12 January 2023 Xpl-108 spent the entire day and night at Raleigh spring. She only emerged and rested on the northern edge after sunset and during the night. During the daytime, however, she was lying and standing on a hummock inside the reed-bed to get the benefit of the fresh breeze to cool her down. A number of tourists were fortunate to spot the lioness as they drove past. ..read more >>
Torra Bay & Coastal lions Updates
Wednesday 11 January 2023
After spending five days in the reeds at Raleigh spring next to the main road and feeding mainly on juvenile Cape fur seals that she found along the bay in front of the spring, the lioness Xpl-108 paid one last visit to the beach at sundown. With no seals in view, she moved northwards. At the break of dawn she was feeding on a seal pup at the mouth of the Uniab river. This is a favorite fishing spot for Torra Bay visitors and trouble was expected with potential interactions between the lioness and the anglers. Fortunately Peter Sander (acting CEO of DLCT) was here to assist and he visited all the fishing parties and informed them of the situation. ..read more >>
Torra Bay & Coastal lions Updates - 8 jan 2023
Sunday 8 January 2023
The lioness Xpl-108 continued her somewhat unusual routine of resting in the reeds at the spring during the day and going out at night. Sometimes she lay for hours on the bank of the steep drop-off to the beach, staring at the ocean. The availability of young seals on the beach opposite the spring is quite unusual. During the night and at sunrise the lioness roared several times, presumably calling for her sisters. ..read more >>
