Pumba Private Game Reserve has been home to a flourishing pride of free ranging white lion since 2006.
The pride has already produced three litters of free ranging cubs. Part of the conservation management plan is to manage the predator species to ensure that there is no inbreeding. To ensure this, a pure white lioness was brought in.
Pumba Private Game Reserve has been home to a flourishing pride of free ranging white lion since 2006.
The pride has already produced three litters of free ranging cubs. Part of the conservation management plan is to manage the predator species to ensure that there is no inbreeding. To ensure this, a pure white lioness was brought in.
Introducing a new member to an established pride is an extremely sensitive procedure. In this case the dominant male usually is glad to accept the new lioness, however the dominant females may not and in all eventuality they kill the new female if she is not introduced in a controlled manner. The emphasis of her introduction is to enrich the gene pool of the pride.
Currently the new lioness is being held in a rehabilitation boma, where she will be able to acclimatise herself to her new environment. Thereafter she will be introduced to her new family by placing her in a rehabilitation boma next to the dominant lioness to allow them to get to know each other and bond. Once the two have got to know each other through the fence, they will be allowed into the same boma to have physical contact.
This is the crucial period for the introduction, as only at this stage will it be evident whether the dominant lioness has accepted the new lioness. Once the two lionesses have spent five days together in the boma and demonstrated that they have bonded the two will be released to join the pride. This is an exciting programme for Pumba as well as being essentail for the pride of white lions to survive.
