Liuwa park’s lion found dead

Liuwa Plain National Park ‘s only lion has died from suspected poisoning reducing the number to only five.

And African Parks (AP), a company managing the Park has described the death of the Lion as a setback to Liuwa’s Lion pride.

Both African Parks  Manager Rob Reid and  District Commissioner Masela Chinyama  confirmed the development to ZANIS in Kalabo this afternoon.

Mrs Chinyama told ZANIS in an interview that the lion was not shot at and that investigations have since been instituted to establish the real cause of death.

The carcass was found by Park management close to Miyanda Pool in the east of the park on 16 September.

According to the GPS signals from his satellite collar indicated that the Lion had been motionless since 9 September, however it is believed that he died some days later.

Mr Reid said that the presence of faecal blood discharge as well as struggle marks on the ground suggested either poisoning or a virulent disease.

“At this stage we don’t know whether the death was as a result of a snake bite, deliberate or accidental poisoning, or disease, body tissue samples are being sent for testing but whatever the result, this death represents a real set-back to Liuwa’s lion pride.”

Three cubs were born last year to one of the two lionesses introduced to Liuwa in late 2012 as companions to the famous Lady Liuwa.

One of the lionesses was killed by a snare in early 2013, whilst Liuwa’s well-known coalition of two brothers came to an end when one of the males was killed after wandering into neighbouring Angola.