VICTORIA Falls-based Lion Encounter project is among animal sanctuaries that have received a massive knock due to COVID-19, as conservation funds have dried up.
For many adventure seekers who visit Africa’s Adventure Capital Victoria Falls, the adrenaline-charged walk-with the lion is one of the must-do activities.
As the tourism sector finds itself in unchartered waters due to the COVID-19 pandemic Lion Encounter which operates this African Lion Rehabilitation and releases into the Wild conservation project has not been spared and has struggled to feed these iconic cats.
Standing and watching full-grown male lions charging to get their meal is one of the fast-paced adrenalin activity one can ever have.
Known as the ‘Feasts of the Beasts’ the adrenalin-charged activity is a major drawcard for millions of tourists who visit Zimbabwe’s tourism capital.
During a recent visit to the site, the ZBC news team had an opportunity to watch in awe as male lions tussled for prime pieces of meat.
Among the 35 lions at the sanctuary is 16-year old ‘Mambo’ the oldest of the iconic cats at the reserve.
Lion Encounter Managing Director, Nathan Webb says feeding ‘Mambo’ and the other 34 big cats has not been an easy task for the tour operator in the wake of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic.
“The COVID-19 has had a dramatic effect on our ability to operate purely because what we rely on is travel and tourism and that has for the past two and half months been non-existent and we haven’t had an opportunity to earn an income to be able to carry out our work,” he said.
Unlike a crocodile which eats at least once a week and can go for months without a meal, lions consume as much as 25% of their body weight at one go and can eat into near immobility.
Webb says the sanctuary requires about one tonne of meat per week.
“We have 35 lions here and that is anywhere between 50 kgs and 1 tonne of meat per week. Our main source of meat is beef and so a lot of farmers around us if their cattle die we have an opportunity for them to recoup something from the loss. Unfortunately, none of it is for free so there is an element of cost to it.”
Having last received clients at the sanctuary on the 27th of March, Webb is however confident that Victoria Falls will emerge out of the difficult period much stronger and is convinced domestic tourists will be critical during the initial recovery phase.
“I don’t think we are going to see international tourists for a while and it means we have to redevelop our strategies to be able to cater for the people who will be able to travel first. Obviously domestic tourists will be able to travel first and we are keen to allow locals to come and observe what we are doing here,” he noted.
Known to many as the ‘King of the Jungle’, a lion has since time immemorial been viewed as a symbol of strength and courage hence the global travel and tourism family is confident that it will certainly emerge out of this difficult phase much stronger though with some few scars.
