Free roaming white lions – 19 December 2008
The recent white lion release into Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, on Route 62 between Montagu and Barrydale, was herald a success, after several years of continued efforts. Over the past decades, white lions have been isolated to breeding programs and circuses, and there have been very few reported sightings of these rare big cats in natural environments. As a result, it has been widely assumed that the recessive gene in the lions producing the unusual colouring is bordering on extinction. In 2003, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve procured two white lions, one male and one female as the basis for a very ambitious project – to re-establish the first wild, self-sustaining white lions since their removal from the Timbavati region in the 1970’s.
The constant patience and dedication of the Shamwari Dubai World Conservation team at Sanbona has now culminated with the recent successful release of an integrated lion pride (including two adult males and two juvenile female white lions) into 54 000 hectares of wild land with herds of potential prey species. This ultimately ensures that the white lions are now free ranging and self sustaining in the wild.