Jul 29, 2015 11:41 BST Doors open to the King of the Jungle

Rwanda Tourism in partnership with African Parks translocated seven lions from South Africa to Akagera National Park on the 29th June to reintroduce the species to Rwanda. Today the lions have been released into the wild after more than 3 weeks in a specially erected 1,000 m² Boma in the north of the park. Enticed out by a waterbuck carcass, the five females were the first to enter the wilderness of Akagera, their new permanent home, and were the first wild lion footsteps on Rwandan soil in over 15 years.

The group of lions includes five females and two males who were selected based on their future reproductive potential and their ability to contribute to social cohesion. They were brought by road to Johannesburg and then flown to Kigali on a chartered flight, before travelling by road to Akagera National Park, a journey of around 45 hours from beginning to end, and possibly the longest wild lion translocation on record.

During their first 28 days, theywere fitted with satellite collars, which will enable the Akagera Park management team to monitor their movements and reduce the risk of the lions straying into community areas. The collars have a two year life by which time the pride dynamics will be evaluated and only the dominant individuals in each pride will be recollared.

Lions have a short gestation period and the team at Akagera National park are hopeful of cubs within a year. One of the female lions (10 years old) has had 3 previous litters, the last being in 2014. In addition there is a 5-year-old female, who had a litter in 2014 and three younger lionesses; one aged 1 year and two 3-year-old sisters, who are yet to have cubs. This range of females will give the park the best chances of sustaining a lion population into the future.

Kamageo provide destination marketing services for African countries. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Adele Cutler, Rwanda Tourism PR

Tel: +44 (0) 1664 823750 M: +44 (0) 7976 578988 [email protected]

NOTES TO EDITOR:

More information on Rwanda Tourism Website:www.rwandatourism.com - www.rwandaresources.com

Akagera National Park website: www.african-parks.org

Pictures can be found here: file:///Users/thenshall/Dropbox/KAMAGEO/RWANDA/IMAGES/Akagera% 20Lions%20Images/Lion%20release%2027th%20July/