Before the introduction of any predator into the reserve, there must be a period of acclimatization. During this time, National Parks veterinary officers can monitor the health of the animal, check for signs of stress and allow it to get used to the conditions. It may be weeks before the gates to the enclosure are opened for the animal to have access to freedom.
Historically Hluhluwe Imfolozi was two separate Parks divided by a bitumen road. With the advent of the Rhino conservation efforts, the areas were combined. Hluhluwe in the North tends to have a more rugged terrain whilst Imfolozi has a more undulating landscape. Predators tend to head South as this is where the herds of wildebeest, impala and zebra tend to congregate. When ACT first broached the subject of a lion introduction to the Foundation it was suggested that the lion would be best suited to the South where there was no existing enclosure.
The Forever Wild Foundation agreed to assist with the lions and cover the costs of a new predator ‘Boma’ to be created in the South. It took a while for the ecologists and Park officials to give the green light to the enclosure and together with ACT a state-of-the-art stockade was built for the imminent arrival of 3 Kalahari lions.
A ‘Boma’, if constructed properly is more that some poles and fencing. It must be built with durability and practicality in mind, all manner of predators could be held for any length of time, fed, the enclosures cleaned, watered and the paddocks electrified. It must be able to withstand the impact of a 450lb lion but also the digging of wild dogs, the prying eyes of the general public and the territorial invasion of wild animals.
Once permission had been granted the erection of the Boma began in earnest. The finishing touches and testing of the electrification of the wiring was completed as the fixed wing aircraft carrying the lions flew overhead to the landing strip in Hluhluwe town.
It is only through the generosity of donors and the professionalism of ACT and Ezemvelo officers that the cheetah population in Zululand has risen like the Phoenix.
