Well-known lion Bon Jovi has been darted and euthanised near a rural village in community-owned farmland northwest of Zambia’s Kafue National Park after reportedly killing cattle. He had been relocated two months earlier to Kafue from Liuwa Plain National Park after also killing cattle in neighbouring villages. All information was provided by James Milanzi, Zambia country manager African Parks.
Given his behaviour and deteriorating condition due to the scarcity of natural prey outside Kafue, the decision to euthanise Bon Jovi was made as he posed a threat to both humans and livestock. The operation to dart and humanely euthanise him was performed by a team consisting of vets from Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), Wildlife Police Officers, and African Parks staff.
Bon Jovi is a son of legendary lioness Queen Sepo – one of the founder population of lions brought in to repopulate Liuwa Plain. Poaching and illegal trophy hunting had eradicated lions from Liuwa Plain National Park in Zambia in the 1990s. Except for one lioness – Lady Liuwa. Lady Liuwa roamed the park on her own for many years –- sometimes seeking the company of humans. Despite being too old to breed, Lady Liuwa headed up the newly established pride until she died of natural causes in 2017. After many setbacks, lions are now flourishing in Liuwa Plain once again, and playing their vital ecosystem roles. Bon Jovi sired many cubs, and his adult sons now rule the plains. He was eight years and seven months old when he died.
The charismatic Bon Jovi was relocated in late February to Kafue from Liuwa Plain after killing cattle in villages bordering the unfenced national park. He was fitted with a GPS collar and closely monitored after his release in Kafue. After spending March roaming the vast unfenced Kafue, in early April he made his way into community farmland northwest of the park, where he resumed killing cattle.
Says James Milanzi, the Zambia country manager African Parks: “African Parks is grateful to DNPW for their support in resolving this unfortunate issue. As humans and wild animals live in closer proximity, the potential for conflict increases and responsible steps must be taken to ensure the safety and livelihoods of local communities. While this particular lion was euthanised due to human-wildlife conflict, the reality is that large protected areas like Kafue are crucial for the survival of Africa’s wild lions. This incident underscores the critical need for the long-term conservation of ecosystems like Kafue, as they provide space for lions to survive. African Parks, in partnership with the DNPW, is committed to ensuring the long-term protection and sustainability of Kafue’s wild lion population.”
African Parks manages Kafue National Park in collaboration with DNPW, and Liuwa Plain National Park in collaboration with DNPW and the Barotse Royal Establishment.
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