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Air Charter Service Africa flies breeding lions to breed again in Rwanda
A LEADING air specialist, Air Charter Service Africa (ACS), was called to fly seven captured breeding lions from South Africa's wilderness to Rwanda, where they had become extinct.
This is part of a major conservation project to reintroduce the big cat to the country following the loss of the population following the 1994 genocide and civil war.
The Government of Rwanda brought in the wild lions from South Africa and set them free in Akagera National Park.
Following the genocide, land ownership and livestock became more important, and when lions started killing cattle, the herders poisoned carcasses to wipe them out. By 2000. they were extinct in the country.
Said Air Charter Service Africa managing director Lynde de Toit: "Two males and five females have been provided by two separate national parks in South Africa to ensure a diverse and sustainable gene-pool for the new pride. In total the lions travelled 2,500 miles mostly by air.
Scheduled services had been ruled out due to transiting times and the size of the lions - the two males each weighed 250 kilogrammes (550 lbs). As the comfort of the animals was paramount, we selected an Antonov An-26 aircraft, which had adequate room and ventilation for the animals, the two animal attendants and operations personnel.
"The crew on the aircraft were fully briefed and worked in conjunction with the two experts on-board to ensure a smooth operation. We were in constant communication with the team throughout the charter and following their arrival in Rwanda we have heard that they are doing well and settling in. For the first two weeks they have been placed in a 1,000 square metres (10,800 square feet) enclosure and will be monitored by means of satellite collars.
This is part of a major conservation project to reintroduce the big cat to the country following the loss of the population following the 1994 genocide and civil war.
The Government of Rwanda brought in the wild lions from South Africa and set them free in Akagera National Park.
Following the genocide, land ownership and livestock became more important, and when lions started killing cattle, the herders poisoned carcasses to wipe them out. By 2000. they were extinct in the country.
Said Air Charter Service Africa managing director Lynde de Toit: "Two males and five females have been provided by two separate national parks in South Africa to ensure a diverse and sustainable gene-pool for the new pride. In total the lions travelled 2,500 miles mostly by air.
Scheduled services had been ruled out due to transiting times and the size of the lions - the two males each weighed 250 kilogrammes (550 lbs). As the comfort of the animals was paramount, we selected an Antonov An-26 aircraft, which had adequate room and ventilation for the animals, the two animal attendants and operations personnel.
"The crew on the aircraft were fully briefed and worked in conjunction with the two experts on-board to ensure a smooth operation. We were in constant communication with the team throughout the charter and following their arrival in Rwanda we have heard that they are doing well and settling in. For the first two weeks they have been placed in a 1,000 square metres (10,800 square feet) enclosure and will be monitored by means of satellite collars.
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