Two male lions from Kgalagadi National Park have been introduced to Addo Elephant National Park AENP to enhance the genetic health of its lion population, Cape town Etc reports..
The seven-year-old males, released on 10 July after weeks in a boma, are adapting well to their new home, SANParks confirmed.
This follows the March introduction of two young lionesses from! Khamab Kalahari Reserve. With these additions, the main game viewing area now hosts nine lions, while three remain in the Nyathi section.
The new males, fitted with tracking collars, will be closely monitored to study their movement, interactions, and hunting patterns. This data helps manage the lion population sustainably, balancing their impact on prey species and the park's ecosystem.
To maintain genetic diversity, older males Niklaas and Witwarm were relocated to Mountain Zebra National Park. Such transfers mimic natural processes, preventing inbreeding and ensuring healthy lion populations across South Africa's reserves.