The Return of the King | Babanango Game Reserve | Short Film 2023

THE KING HAS RETURNED

For the first time in approximately 150 years, lions are once again roaming the rolling hills of Babanango Game Reserve. In this historic move, two male lions have been reintroduced onto the reserve, as part of our ambitious and successful rewilding journey.

"Our reserve is situated in the heart of Zululand, where seven Zulu Kings are buried not far from here, therefore terming the area 'The Valley of The Kings'. The introduction of 'The King of Beasts' into Babanango Game Reserve was barely imaginable a mere 3 years ago but now that it has come to fruition, we are ecstatic and one step closer to fulfilling this incredible dream of Big 5 status.” said Musa Mbatha, Community & Stakeholder Engagement, Babanango Game Reserve.

Lions play a crucial role in the African ecosystem as apex predators, fulfilling an important ecological role on the reserve by managing ungulate populations and providing access to more food sources to our scavenging species, such as vultures and brown hyenas.

The introduction of these predators is a significant milestone for conservation in South Africa - lions are listed as "Vulnerable" in their status by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.

The reintroduction of these iconic predators to this region of Zululand is part of a larger vision for the reserve and its contribution to conservation. In partnership with Conservation Outcomes and the Community Trust Landowners, the release of this species is a positive step forward in not only the health of the species’ population but for the establishment of the reserve itself.

Watch the film above on their journey to Babanango Game Reserve from Nambiti Private Game Reserve.

www.babanango.com

Film production by the Love Africa Marketing team
Director and Producer: Nicola Gerrard
Cinematographer and editor: Sven Musica
Co-Director: Casey Pratt

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