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Lions before their release in the Karoo National Park.
- SANParks defended their decision to euthanize seven lions because they were constantly escaping.
- No other reservation would accept the lions.
- As the lions became less afraid of humans, they became a risk to the people who lived in and around the reserve.
The South African National Parks (SANParks) defended their decision to euthanize seven lions in the Karoo National Park to outrage at their actions.
Spokesperson Reynold Thakhuli explained that one of the big cats had already figured out how they could get in and out, and which points on the fence were easier to dig to go hunting on the other side.
On Monday, the seven lions escaped into the high mountain areas, twice in 24 hours, killing 10 sheep near the reserve in the Beaufort West area.
READ | 7 lions killed after escaping the reserve twice, killing 10 sheep
The rangers rounded up the lions and slept on the mountain to watch over them.
But they escaped again, to return to the corpses.
Shooting
A decision was made and the lions were shot to death from a helicopter because it was too dangerous to go on foot.
The lions were regularly killing sheep in the surroundings and were losing their fear of humans as well.
SANParks was concerned that their next prey might be a person.
Shooting the lions sparked outrage from some conservationists, who said other steps should have been taken, such as fixing the fence.
READ | Huge uproar from wildlife organizations following the killing of 7 ‘troublesome’ lions in Karoo
Thakhuli said the decision was not made lightly, and SANParks had even tried donating the lions to other parks and reserves, but no one had the space.
A difficult decision had to be made.
“The crucial aspects that were considered when making the decision to euthanize these specific animals are, first of all, that this group of lionesses had left the park before, killing several sheep from a neighboring farm and posing a threat to humans.” , He explained. “Second, the pack had become familiar with a specific area they escaped from, and one of the pack members had developed a habit of digging under fences.”
It was clear that there was a high probability that the lions would leave again and pose a risk to livestock and people.
“SANParks is obligated and has a legal duty to respond and mitigate such risks,” he continued.
He explained that lions are opportunists, prefer easy prey, are quick learners and could become regular cattle raiders.
Troubled lions
According to SANParks large mammal ecologists, several drivers contribute to problem lion behavior: One is that male lions disperse as adults and packs move and compete for food. This is not a problem because there are no fences or other land uses between the reserves, but the Karoo National Park is surrounded by people.
Left unchecked, populations within the reserves can increase by 22% a year, and if the lions don’t get enough food, there is a risk that they will leave the reserve.
South Africa is among the top five African range states keeping lions.
There are 3,500 wild lions, and in 59 small state and private reserves, there are 700.
Karoo National Park has 14 lions remaining, consisting of three to four groups, with two active satellite collars and collars monitored by VHF.
