Exciting news in from the lion relocation project in Malawi.

We have some very interesting and exciting news in from the Mkulumadzi lion relocation project in Malawi.

Recently the boys had been selected and collared, and the girls were about to be picked from the crowd as well, this has now all happened and we they have moved on to the next step. They were selected from a completely different pride to ensure maximum genetic diversity, which in the future will hopefully (all fingers and paws crossed) ensure that there will be a viable lion population after relocation.

On the 18th June the boys and girls were all to be captured at exactly the same time and moved to the boma. It was crucial that this all went smoothly and in unison so that all 4 of them would meet together after groggily waking up in the boma. However, as we all know the best laid plans never do go smoothly, and as the teams set out, the first male was located by his radio collar so deep into the bush that there was no way that a car was getting to him! What to do?! Well
helicopters were the only option for him so the aerial team got under way, darted the bush boy and somehow managed to get him to the car before the road team headed off looking for
   the second male.

It turns out that this guy was a bit of a show off and was posing for a multitude of tourists cameras on a fresh kill by the side of the road. Showing his better side to the tourists he happily lapped up the attention. After everyone was happy, the veterinary teams spoke to the tourists to see if they wanted to witness the darting of a wild animal and have first hand experience of conservation, which of course they all did! This time, everything went very smoothly and before they knew it both boys were bumbling along to their boma.

The ladies were of course a lot easier, as would be expected! And all four beasts woke up together in the boma slightly flustered and disorientated to start with but have bonded well and doing fine. Enjoying the room service almost immediately! The new family are having a blast and will be heading for Malawi on the 30th July.

So there we go. We will update you with the next instalment as soon as we get it!

Of course at Wildlife Worldwide (together with Robin Pope Safaris) we would be very happy to help you experience Mkulumadzi and the lion relocation project in action.

We have been working with Robin Pope Safaris for 20 years or more and together with its operations in Malawi at Mkulumadzi in Majete Game Reserve and Pumulani on the shores of Lake Malawi, there are four beautiful camps scattered across the Luangwa Valley – Nkwali, Luangwa River Lodge, Tena Tena and Nsefu. They vary in size from Nkwali and Nsefu which each accommodate 12 guests, to Tena Tena which accommodates eight people and Luangwa Rover Lodge which accommodates ten.

DO ask us for more information and to put an itinerary together for you.