Lion Collaring Expedition - Day Two

The Conservation Team shares the next days' events in the lion collaring process!

The lion collaring operation continues onto day two! We decided to still push for the collaring of the lone female lion close to the Campi ya Kanzi airstrip. During the day time, Dr. Poghon collected night vision equipment from the rhino sanctuary in Tsavo West National Park to avoid the use of spotlights that might put off lions and increase our capability to detect lions. We help the first call up close to the airstrip, but now in an area with a few more shrubs to cover the visibility of the two vehicles. We decided to no longer use the sounds of feeding hyenas as it attracts too many spotted hyenas, which may in turn intimidate a lone young lioness to come.

Just before dark, shortly after we started playing the sound of the pig squeal, the lioness suddenly appeared and walked around the cars, but then quickly disappeared again into the bush. Everyone including the vet was caught by surprise as we did not expect the lion to react so quickly. Unfortunately the vet did not manage to dart the lion before it disappeared out of range. The lioness was very cautious and stayed on the periphery for almost two hours sitting and looking at us, but not daring to come close.

In a desperate attempt, the vehicle started and the vet tried to move towards the lioness. Unfortunately the lioness sensed danger and disappeared into the darkness not to return again.

Although a bit disappointed that we did not manage to collar the lioness, our hopes raised as there was a lion in the area attracted by our calling station.

Later that night we spotted three pairs of red eyes along the road on our way to the next call up site, and so decided to do another calling station close to the Campi ya Kanzi lodge. During this calling station, spotted hyenas showed up, and a leopard!

Four hours later we moved to our last location of the night near Longido. After a few hours without seeing any predators and again a lot of rain, we decided to stop.

Surely the next night we would have better luck...