Wild Wonderful World assisted Khamab Kalahari Reserve and SANParks Addo Elephant Park to translocate two lionesses as part of a genetic diversification program, by funding the veterinary costs as well as portion of the fixed wing aircraft. The Bateleurs also sponsored part of the flying costs.

Read the report from Bart Gazendam, Wildscapes Veterinary Services:

Firstly, Wildscapes Veterinary and Conservation Services, Khamab Kalahari Reserve, and SAN Parks (Addo Elephant Park) extend their heartfelt thanks to our sponsors, Wild Wonderful World and The Bateleurs. Their invaluable support makes operations like this possible.

On Saturday, the 21st of December 2024, Dr. Bart Gazendam and pilot Lloyd Rogers departed in a small aircraft (Cessna T210) from Tzaneen Airport, heading to the airstrip at the Khamab Kalahari Reserve. The first flight was uneventful, and within three hours, the aircraft landed safely at Khamab. After a brief introduction to the Khamab management team, including the Reserve Ecologist, Hanno Kilian, we embarked on a short 30-minute car ride to the reserve's boma. There, two lionesses patiently awaited translocation to their new homes. Despite some initial distractions, the shy lionesses were darted with a combination of Zoletil and Medetomidine. Within 10 minutes, both animals were immobilised and could be approached. On closer inspection, the lionesses were estimated to weigh between 120 and 140 kilograms each. Using stretchers, both animals were carefully loaded onto the back of a vehicle and prepared for transport to the aircraft. Intravenous catheters were placed in the hindlegs of both lionesses to facilitate easy and crucial top-ups of immobilisation drugs during the process.

After a brief drive through the beautiful Kalahari bushveld, the lionesses were placed in the shade of the aircraft's wings. Before loading, a small top-up dose was administered to ensure they remained sedated during loading and take-off. As the lionesses were slightly heavier than expected, loading them both into the aircraft proved a challenging task. Nevertheless, both animals were safely loaded, and the final preparations for take-off were completed. Each lioness was given an intravenous drip to maintain blood flow and was provided with intranasal oxygen. Once the plane was positioned for take-off, we smoothly became airborne, beginning an almost four-hour journey to Addo Elephant Park. While the initial flight to Khamab had been uneventful, the journey to Addo proved to be a turbulent four-hour challenge. The lionesses were closely monitored throughout the flight and administered additional drugs to maintain immobilisation, ensuring the safety of all onboard.

The landing at Addo Elephant Park was smooth, and the SANParks team, led by Nick De Goede, was patiently waiting to receive the park’s new additions. These young females were brought in to introduce new genetics, expanding the gene pool and bolstering the declining lion population in the reserve.
After carefully manoeuvring the lionesses out of the aircraft, they were loaded for the final leg of their journey to the bomas within Addo Park. There, one of the lionesses was fitted with a GPS collar for monitoring purposes. The team captured identification photos of the animals, and alongside Dr. David Zimmerman, the reversal agents were administered to wake the lionesses. Both had a smooth recovery and will be closely monitored by the SAN-Parks team.

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