RARE WHITE LIONS SUCCESSFULLY RELEASED INTO THE WILD
- 10 October 2008
White Lion Male
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The white lion release at Sanbona Wildlife Reserve in South Africa has been heralded a success. Over the past few decades these lions have been isolated to breeding programs and circuses, and there have been only a few reported sightings of these rare big cats in their natural environment. Due to this it has been widely assumed that the recessive gene in wild lions that causes the colouring is bordering extinction. The Sanbona projects success means that white lions are now free ranging and self sustaining in the wild.
In 2003, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve procured two white lions, one male and one female as the basis for a very ambitious project – to re-establish the first wild, self sustaining white lions since their removal from the Timbavati region in the 1970’s.
The essence of this White Lion Project at Sanbona Wildlife Reserve was to integrate the white lion off springs with wild tawny lions, such that they could be taught to hunt and survive naturally. Furthermore, breeding between white and tawny lions would considerably improve the genetic integrity of the white lions, as they have been inbred on breeding farms from a very small founder population.
The constant patience and dedication of the Shamwari Dubai World Conservation team at Sanbona has now culminated with the recent successful release of an integrated lion pride (including two adult males and two juvenile female white lions) into 40 000 hectares of wild land with herds of potential prey species. This ultimately ensures that the white lions are now free ranging and self sustaining in the wild.
This pride is being monitored very closely and although they often separate and go their own way, they reunite regularly and are hunting and fending for themselves.
All in all, the integrated pride members are making a life for themselves in a fashion of their own. Although they are not always together, they communicate, interact and experience life as wild lions should. The patterns of their existence are becoming apparent and their will to survive holds positive for the future. The dedicated Shamwari Dubai World Africa Conservation team at Sanbona will continue to monitor their progress indefinitely.
