Lion collaring Northern Kruger

Monitoring lions to protect them

It was an exciting morning for the Lion Survey Team as we assisted SANParks rangers and a veterinarian from Wildscapes in immobilizing two lionesses to fit them with GPS collars. This pride lives near the border of Kruger National Park — a high-risk area for poisoning and snaring — making it essential to monitor their movements closely.

The collar data helps SANParks rangers and the EWT carnivore team track these lions, understand their behavior, and implement strategies to keep them safe.

Being part of this collaboration — between the EWT Carnivore Team, SANParks, and Wildscapes vets — I contributed in the field, helping with locating the lions and supporting the identification process. It was a rare opportunity to observe these majestic predators up close while directly contributing to their conservation.