Lion Prides in Madikwe Game Reserve

Over a 12 month period, the movements of the lion prides on the eastern sector of the 76 000 ha reserve were recorded.  Prey species, mating and interactions with other predators were also noted.  For the first 7 months the core territories were marked and for the next 5 months their movements were recorded when reported sightings were called in.

INTRODUCTION

In 1991 Operation Phoenix was the largest re-introduction of animals into a game reserve.  Over 10 000 animals were captured in other parts of the sub-continent and released into Madikwe game reserve.  In 1994, eleven lions from Pilanesberg and Etosha were introduced.

The 19 lions that are the study animals for this project include 2 dominant males (brothers), 4 adult females, 4 sub-adult females, 5 sub-adult males, 2 juveniles and 2 cubs.

The 2 dominant males were brought in from a place called Batia in Etosha in November 1995 and hold a territory of +/- 18km2 on the northeastern sector of the reserve.  They were born in 1993, which makes them 13 years old, which is very unusual for male lions to still dominate an area at that age.  One male has a tracking collar, which is only used by the ecologist for research purposes.

Within their pride are two adult females that are sisters and were born in December 1995 of which one of them also has a tracking collar.  The rest of the prides are descendants from these four lions.

HABITAT

Over the 12 months there has been a change of movement within their territories.  During the first summer of the project, the lion's territory was around the plains where there is a very high density of general game.  During the first winter, the lions moved quite far away from the plains.  During the second winter, they still moved away from the plains but still return to the area around the plains.  It is possibly due to the fact that we had double our annual rainfall in summer so the general game has not moved too far away from the plains area.  The core territory between winter 2005 and winter 2006 is very different and still monitoring this.

PREY SPECIES

The predominant prey species over the past 12 months is definitely blue wildebeest as they have the highest population in the park. Impalas are also taken by the lions but what I have found very interesting is that they go for warthog around the middle of winter, possibly due to the warthogs battling during the dry season.  Zebra, Waterbuck and Giraffe are also part of their diet but only a very small percentage.

CONCLUSION

The project is still new but starting to show some interesting information.  

I have been able to record things like ages of cubs dating back to when lions were seen mating and established whom they were fathered by.

I have also noted how far dominant male lions can move within a 24-hour period and that it is not altogether true that lionesses do all the hunting.  Dominant males have to move around their whole territory, marking and keeping other males out.  The lionesses and cubs do not always move with the males.. therefore the males have to hunt for themselves.

I have also recorded two lionesses that killed an Aardvark and did not consume it, which was done purely because lions are opportunistic.  I have also seen the whole pride around one of the dams after just feeding on a wildebeest.  Lots of general game came down to the water to drink and you could see that they wanted to hunt purely because it is in their genes to chase something that moves.

What I have also found very interesting is our two dominant males are 13 years old and still hold their territory.  Male lions are usually in their prime at around 5 - 7 years old and ready to take over a territory.  They usually hold the pride for about 2 years and their average life expectancy is 12 years old.  So these males are quite extraordinary.

The project will be continued indefinitely in the reserve, to compare the lion movements and habits with other reserves in the area.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

All the data and information was collected by Lara Hampton and the Madikwe Safari Lodge Rangers. Lara did her CC Africa Inkwazi ranger training at Phinda in 2005, after which she was sent to Madikwe Private Game Reserve where the amazing diversity was a great way to start her career! She then moved on to train rangers in East Africa.  She is currently based at Kleins Camp in the North Eastern section of the Serengeti National Park, where she travels around to all the lodges in East Africa. Lara has always had a special interest in lions and decided to use them as a project.

Posted: Mammals by Lara Hampton, Date: 7 June 2007