Lioness Darting

'Maggie', one of Karongwe’s two pride lionesses, was successfully darted on July 5^th. She initially proved elusive, foiling two darting attempts on the 2^nd and 4^th of July. She was immobilised for the purpose of removing her ageing VHF Radio transmitting collar and replacing it with a VHF Radio transmitting implant.

'Maggie' was transferred to one of Karongwe’s quarantine 'bomas' (holding pens) where the vet could safely conduct the procedure and also serve as a space in which she could recover from the anaesthetic. It was not long before the rest of the pride, including her three, one year-old, cubs made their way to the boma and she was released.

GVI was involved throughout the entire process, with the current group of volunteers allowed to attend the surgical procedure in the boma. Truly once in a lifetime experience.

Her new implant allows us to continue our research on her and the rest of the pride, monitoring their movements, inter- and intra- specific interactions and the prey species they consume.

Andreas Fox, Base Manager, Karongwe

Lioness Darting