Sylvester the lion given reprieve – to be relocated to Addo

Sylvester‚ the errant lion that caused consternation when he escaped from the Karoo National Park for the second time in a year last month‚ has been given a reprieve.

The lion‚ who was recaptured on March 31 after being on the loose for a few days during which time he is reported to have killed a cow on a privately owned farm‚ is to be relocated to the Addo Elephant National Park (AENP)‚ South African National Parks (SANParks) announced on Tuesday.

There were fears that Sylvester might have to be put down.

SANParks said Sylvester would be moved into a boma within an existing 200ha enclosure in the Kuzuko contractual section of the AENP for him to become bonded with two young females who were currently in the enclosure.

The two young females were the cubs that were rescued in Addo Main Camp after their mother was killed by a snake early last year‚ SANParks explained. They survived for about two months on their own and‚ with the help of the public‚ rangers were able to rescue them.

“This lion‚ at three years of age‚ is still young enough to bond with the two females and ultimately establish himself as the resident pride male‚” said SANParks CEO Fundisile Mketeni.

This option forms part of the Frontier Cluster’s Carnivore Management Plan.

According to Mketeni‚ the plan aims to restore or mimic the natural social dynamics of lion behavior‚ in this case by simulating the dispersal of male lions that would be found in large conservation systems like the 2-million hectares of the Kruger National Park or the 3-million of the Kgalalgadi Transfrontier Park.

The lions will then be released into the park to be free-ranging. The fence between Kuzuko and the neighbouring Darlington section of AENP is due to be dropped soon which will then provide the three lions with 60‚000ha over which to roam.

“There is always a risk that this lion may break out again‚ but this will be mitigated to a large extent by reducing any potential conflict with other males‚ by placing him in a boma within the existing 200ha boma‚ and ultimately by establishing him as the dominant male‚” said Mketeni.

“The combined area of Darlington and Kuzuko is large‚ with a substantial prey base and only one other coalition of ageing male lions‚ and hence the pressure on Sylvester will be minimal. In addition‚ we have an area to the west of the dam to which these males can be retired if necessary.

“We remain committed to our conservation mandate and can give the public assurance that this decision was in the best interests of the animal and conservation. This decision involved consultation with SANParks Park and Regional Management‚ Scientific Services and Veterinary Wildlife Services.”

Mketeni said that this option was one of several that were considered and was the option with the most benefits for the lion‚ as well as for SANParks’ broader carnivore management.

“We will ensure that the lion is fully integrated in line with our Frontier Region Carnivore Management Plan‚” said Mketeni.

During his escape last year‚ Sylvester killed several animals and roamed about 400 kilometres near Beaufort West.