DESERT LION NEWS
The much dreaded ( but, in a way, expected) phone call from farmer Samuel of Opdraende farm has unfortunately come.
XPL 127 ( Minki), the Lioness that had escaped euthanasia weeks ago when XPL 75 ( Angela) was put down, REPORTEDLY caught another Cow this weekend and allegedly posed a threat to the occupants at the farmhouse during the night.
The Lioness was seen on the Cow and shot as repeat offender as four Cows had been lost in succession recently to predation. The Lioness’s condition is being described as emaciated.
Once predators reach this stage of desperation they could pose danger to people and herders who are exposed in the fields.
The farmer profusely apologised for having to shoot the Lioness and explained that he really had no other option. He undertook to change to Goat farming which is easier manageable in terms of protection and pledged his continued cooperation to conserve the Desert adapted Lions on condition that he gets support in doing so and wont be left to his own devices.
It has become apparent that the Lioness, given her hopeless condition ( maybe injury induced considering the Huab 4 are still coping somehow?), has latched on to and has become dependent on easy prey i.e. Poultry, Dogs and Livestock which posed a real problem sadly.
The MEFT has been notified.