Sylvester the Karoo lion all set for move to Addo

Cape Town - 160329 - Sylvester the Karoo lion in its boma at the Karoo National Park on Thursday, June 23, 2015. Photo by Gabrielle Venter South African National Parks

Cape Town - 160329 - Sylvester the Karoo lion in its boma at the Karoo National Park on Thursday, June 23, 2015. Photo by Gabrielle Venter South African National Parks

Published May 25, 2016

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Johannesburg – Sylvester, the lion which twice escaped from the Karoo National Park, sparking massive search operations on each occasion, will be relocated to the Addo Elephant National Park.

South African National Parks (SANParks) on Wednesday said Sylvester would make his long-awaited move on Friday.

“The lion will be moved into a boma within an existing 200ha enclosure in the Kuzuko contractual area of Addo Elephant National Park (AENP),” said William Mabasa, Acting Head of Communications for SANParks.

Mabasa said that they expected that he would bond with two young female cubs already in the larger enclosure, and ultimately establish himself as the resident pride male.

“In the longer term, the lions will then be released into the park when the fence between Kuzuko and the neighbouring Darlington section of the park is dropped, which will provide them with 60 000ha over which to roam.”

He added that the decision to relocate Sylvester was one of several which were considered, and was the one with the most benefits, as well as fitting in with SANParks’ broader predator management programme.

Sylvester first escaped from the Karoo National Park on 5 June last year, and managed to evade capture for over three weeks. After his capture he was fitted with a combination satellite/VHF collar to track his whereabouts should he manage to get out again.

“This collar then alerted authorities on 28 March that the lion had once again left the park’s boundary, and played a big role in tracking him and returning him back to park much quicker – three days later on 31 March,” Mabasa said.

Sylvester has been kept in a boma in the park since, and will now be making his way to Addo Elephant National Park.

African News Agency

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