Niël Terblanché
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism confirmed renewed concerns from Ngonga residents after a pride of lions returned just days after being relocated.
On Friday, 9 May, six lions, two adult females and four cubs, were moved from Ngonga to the Kasimba area within Bwabwata East (Kwando Core Area).
By Tuesday evening, the lions had crossed back over the B8 road through the Kwando Gate and returned to Ngonga.
“The return has understandably heightened fears and frustration among the residents in the area,” said ministry spokesperson Ndeshipanda Hamunyela.
She added that one adult female and two cubs had stayed behind in Ngonga during the first relocation because of logistical challenges.
In April, the ministry partnered with the Kwando Carnivore Project to address human-wildlife conflict in the region.
Measures included fitting a lioness with a tracking collar to alert communities and wrapping nine kraals in plastic to block the lions’ view of livestock.
“This measure proved helpful, as no cattle deaths resulting from lions breaking into kraals have been reported since then,” Hamunyela said.
Despite these efforts, some incidents continue. Cattle have been attacked during the day outside kraal enclosures.
To respond to the lions’ return, the ministry is planning a follow-up operation to recapture and relocate the pride deeper into Bwabwata National Park, specifically to the Omega 3 area.
“This new location has been strategically selected to reduce the likelihood of the lions returning to Ngonga and to minimise the risk of human-wildlife conflict,” Hamunyela said.
She also confirmed the ministry is considering deploying staff to the area for closer monitoring and to reassure the local community during this time.
