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Lion Encounter – Victoria Falls Lion Project News Newsletters » Mar/Apr 2006 » Lion Encounter Victoria Falls Lion Project News Read about Casper and Cleo’s move back to Antelope Park; Meet our newest Vic Falls cubs Nala and Narnia, some Elephant history, the Vic Falls horse project and our new volunteer home at Hunters Lodge. Casper & Cleo move to Antelope Park In the last few months, we have come across some very busy times. On the 4th December 2006 Casper and Cleo were translocated from the Victoria Falls to Antelope Park for stage 1b, Night Hunts. At 18 months of age these cubs were very much ready for the translocation. Casper and Cleo’s move was a quick 30 minute endeavor with hardly any stress on either the cubs or guides. Positioning the box Cleo walking in Consoling Casper         Loading the cubs Goodbye!   Rescuing Impala It was hard watching Casper and Cleo leave but things started to pick up a few days later when we found a pregnant snared impala which was still alive, we intervened and did out part for mother nature...   Removing the snare Damage from the snare Setting her free Nala and Narnia - New arrivals at Lion Encounter, Vic Falls Two special new additions to the Lion Encounter! These two girls were brought in from the same area as the 3N’s were – the cubs of orphaned lions from the Hwange National Park area. We have a huge challenge on our hands in the fact they were 3 months old when we received them and not at all used to human contact. The cubs are very healthy and alert but our main focus is developing a trust and a bonding friendship between our team of volunteers and guides at Lion Encounter and the cubs.   Nala and Nania Hunters Lodge - New Volunteer Accommodation at Victoria Falls As of the 30th January 2006 volunteers moved to Hunters Lodge - the new volunteer base at the falls. Volunteers occupy 2 small cottages, one each for guys and girls. The volunteers are enjoying themselves at their new place of residence. Every morning we leave Villa Vic to pick up the volunteers at Hunters Lodge and proceed to Masuwe for the days’ activities. Volunteers to work with Elephants We have been in discussion with the Operations Manager of the Zambezi Elephant Trails, Mr Claudius Hove. It has been agreed that each Lion Encounter Volunteer will be working on the elephants once a week. The agenda will involve some of the following activities: Meet with the professional handlers first thing in the morning, then assist with cleaning the Bomas and troughs. This should take no more than 45 minutes. From there they ride on the elephants to the waterhole right in front of Masuwe Lodge were they will disembark and join the other Lion Encounter volunteers for breakfast. At approximately 10am volunteers meet the elephants back at the waterhole and accompany the elephants while they browse and feed and volunteers also assist with their training. The experience is important for the elephants and handlers as the close relationship enables them to have a better understanding of each other. A bit of Elephant History Clem Coetsee rescued all of the Zambezi Trails Elephants and many more in the 1992 drought at the Gonarezhou National Park (505,300 hectares, southeast region of Zimbabwe known as the Lowveld). Knowing that the young elephants were not going to survive on their own, he made it his personal goal to raise them and care for them. Re-introduction into the wild was not a viable and safe option for the Elephants at the time due to various land issues. His rescue mission station became over populated with young elephants, so he had to make more space so as to ensure the survival of these orphaned elephants. Clem decided to sell some of his elephants to certain companies and farmers around Zimbabwe were he knew that they would be well cared for. Some of the companies have taught the Elephants to do trail rides, swims etc to generate money to cover their living and maintenance expenses (an elephant can eat up to half a tonne of vegetation a day). Their diets are supplemented with various feed and vitamins as well as their health checked by vets on a regular basis. The Zambezi Trails Elephants are Miss Ellie 24, Clem 21, Penny 22 and Emma 22 brought to Victoria Falls around 1½ years ago. An elephant can only be ridden once they are 10 years of age and properly trained, which includes constant human contact on a daily basis. This is where the Lion Encounter volunteers can make a big contribution to their survival. Each day Miss Ellie, Clem, Penny and Emma need constant exposure to the wild and human’s in order to generate funds for their daily food, training, handlers, rental of the property and medication if need be. The participation in this activity will add another extremely interesting dimension to the project. Volunteers end up being in close contact with two of the big five. Working with Horses at Victoria Falls A very new project which also requires one volunteer a week every day. The volunteer helps with general duties at the stables such as cleaning, grooming, washing, fixing as well as riding and schooling for the more professional volunteer. Its early days yet but we are hoping that we will be able to have 6 volunteers everyday on the project. I’ll keep you posted.   Lion Encounter Volunteers and Guides - Adel, Lee, Renate, Precious, Sherry, Anisto, Paul, Noah, Helena, Ian - Volunteer at Victoria Falls, Lion Encounter Project. Jambo - Hello from Milena! Antelope Park - Lion Project News Lion Encounter - Victoria Falls Lion Project News Zambia Lion Volunteer Project Update IUCN Conference on Lions In Johannesburg - Mr Conolly Reports Hwange Volunteer Conservation Project Update Trip Report - Volunteers visit Rhino Project Lion Cubs News People on the move at African Impact Kwaheru! Subscribe to our free newsletter Africa volunteer opportunities       print this page | bookmark this page (CTRL-D) | send to a friend back to top