ALERT | The Lion Rehabilitation & Release into the Wild Program: Stage Four

ACT CCWA logos

ALERT Communities Trust (ACT) and Conservation Centre for Wild Africa (CCWA)

T: +44 (0)203 371 7835
E: info@lionalert.org

The Lion Rehabilitation & Release into the Wild Program

Introduction Stage One Stage Two Stage Three Stage Four
Husbandry & Veterinary Lions in the Program

Stage Four

When old enough, the cubs born in stage three can be released in appropriate social groups into national parks and reserves that need them, and have been designated for protection.

In areas where there are no wild lions or where existing populations have been depleted leaving available territories we will be able to release mixed pride groups that will establish a territory.

Where existing prides occur we will be able to provide female-only groups that can augment the wild pride through proven boma-bonding techniques. .

We will also be able to release male-only coalition groups into areas that will naturally take over prides from existing pride males, thereby bringing natural gene flow into other wise genetically closed populations.

We anticipate that our first stage four release will take place in 2012 – 13 and already we have received much interest from across Africa for these lions. Interest has come from private reserves to trans-frontier parks and from Mozambique to Ghana. As such we have every belief that wildlife managers across the continent are able to look into the future of the African lion and are making appropriate decisions to ensure the sustainability of populations within their areas.

It is accepted that prides released into areas of insufficient size to allow for long term genetically viable populations will need continuous management, as is already necessary for most of Africa’s wild lion populations.

Prior to release into stage four, each potential release environment will be evaluated to establish likely success and confirm elements such as the most appropriate form of release, likely home range establishment following release and the prey base within the release area.

We will also look at the proximity of the release are to local communities such that appropriate ACT community programs can be implemented to mitigate possible livestock / lion conflicts, establish education programs and garner support for the wild area in question through various community development projects agreed as priorities with the local community.

Post-release monitoring programs will be implemented to judge the performance of the release pride and any effects on the release environment and local communities.

Read our Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ page