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LionExpose LionExpose 🇿🇦 investigates & exposes wildlife exploitation & ongoing human rights abuse in CONservation.

Rhino, Lions, Elephants, & other wildlife are largely exploited for profit. We support good work & advocate for transparency & truth.

13/10/2026

BABOON WARS 🇿🇦

Cape Town’s planned capture of the Seaforth and Waterfall baboon troops raises urgent questions about animal welfare, public safety, conservation and accountability.

These baboons live within a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A mass capture will cause severe stress, injury and some baboons will die. If permits are approved it will set a dangerous precedent for how wildlife is treated in urban areas.

Please share, repost to groups and read the full report on our website.
Help demand independent reviews and transparency before this irreversible plan goes ahead.

🟢️ We reached out to Ian Redmond the world renowned primatologist and elephant specialist who assisted us with several reports in our field work in elephant conflict.

We have his reply, we will be adding his report in the next few days.

©️LionExpose











10/09/2026

DEATH IN THE THAKA VALLEY 🇿🇦

Lappet-Faced Vulture Found Dead in Alleged Zululand Poisoning

Ongoing human-wildlife conflict boiled over, triggering a devastating sequence of wildlife deaths and livestock losses in the area.

This report covers a tense and volatile situation, a deadly dance between law and crime, marked by subtle intimidation. Eagles, crows, and, a second vulture were also found.

The Bush Telegraph

On 24 August, Ezemvelo dispatched a team to Thaka Valley after reports that several livestock had been killed by lions and that their carcasses had allegedly been poisoned and used as bait. The urgency of this response was heightened by events just weeks earlier: on 30 July, we had been actively tracking the prints of a male lion, whom we nicknamed the Lion King, through the valley.

While on a hill following his spoor, we received word that he had just been shot dead a few kilometres away, outside Gluckstadt.

The continued presence of fresh kills after the Lion King's death strongly suggested that other lions remained in the area.

NOTE:
LionExpose has been investigating conflict in the area in the interest of public transparency.

( The video and all the images are captured by our lead researcher they are the property of ©️LionExpose and cannot be reproduced without permission.
The video has distressing content)

For the full report, please go to our website.

We inserted a link to the DA EKZN enquiry at the end of that report.

Also read the previous story on the website title - Lion King Shot Dead in Conflict.

©LionExpose







27/08/2026

LION KING SHOT DEAD IN CONFLICT 🇿🇦

Zululand -Gluckstadt

At around 1:00 pm on 30 July 2026, a large male lion was shot dead after being tracked by a lion call-up team, accompanied by a pack of dogs and a professional hunter.

We were originally informed that he was shot on a private farm. However, after reaching out to Ezemvelo, they confirmed the lion was shot “next to a private farm” and that a permit was in place.

We therefore asked who foots the bill for the ongoing conflict with lions.

“It depends where the lion escaped from. Ezemvelo paid for the capture/destruction of the latest lions. At times, some NGO might assist during the search, like those NGOs with hunting dogs and Professional Hunters. They volunteer to assist”.

​Lion-Human Conflict in Zululand

The dead lion king had found himself living as a wanderer in a landscape far removed from the protected wilderness he may have known. He moved between communities and cattle farms, crossing roads and finding pockets of cover where he could rest and remain undetected. Each move meant finding food, water, and somewhere safe to spend the day while avoiding people and the dangers of living so close to human communities.

​Against those odds, he survived until his journey ended beside the R34. At almost exactly the time the lion was shot, we had found his footprints in the valley he moved through. We also had visited a local farmer who showed us where a young heifer had been killed earlier in July.

​We realized then that we had been tracking some of the king’s last footsteps. His giant prints set into the soil are now among the only evidence of his journey.

Habitat Loss and Historical Decline

Historically, lions occurred across much of South Africa. Through hunting, persecution, and the conversion of natural habitat to farmland and other human uses, they were eliminated from large parts of their former range. By the middle of the 20th century, wild lions had become largely restricted to protected areas. In KwaZulu-Natal, lions were driven to regional extinction and were later reintroduced to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi.
​
The Cost of Conflict and Conservation

The removal of a damage-causing animal occurs when the animal is believed to pose a risk to people, livestock, or property. The issue is also one of environmental justice. Communities living alongside protected areas often carry many of the costs of living with wildlife, including livestock losses, financial hardship, and the fear and insecurity that can come with dangerous animals moving through their communities.

​Each year, international NGOs and wildlife charities raise millions of dollars for lion conservation. Yet, human-wildlife conflict remains one of the primary drivers of wild lion mortality.

The uncomfortable reality is that the conservation economy may now be more effective at generating funding for lions than at ensuring their long-term survival in the wild.

©LionExpose

NOTES: We have been tracking the regions roaming lions since January 2025. We reported on our page about the two male lions killed in the same area. Please read it in the first comment or scroll back.

In June 2026, another roaming male lion was shot and killed after darting attempts failed. The male lion had been spotted on the R66 between Pongola and Nongoma and then tracked, where he was killed near Mpilo Game Reserve.

Lion King, Born Free, Dead King.






10/07/2026

IN THE TRENCHES🇿🇦

Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Deadly secondary infections take their toll

We have been closely connected to the current outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease since we visited a friend's farm in late December 2025. They were being extremely cautious, and we spent the night around the braai discussing the disaster and worrying about the months ahead.

We approached the Berkemeyers, who farm cattle outside Bethlehem in the Free State, to ask them if they would be prepared to keep in communication with us as we knew this could get really bad. They agreed. While their experience is unique, many farmers are enduring similar ordeals, sleepless nights, livestock lost to sudden secondary infections, and relentless uncertainty.

We were on our bush traverse and would check in for updates, and realised things must have turned for the worse when we lost live contact with the Berkeymeyers for a few weeks. We were picking up voice notes and heartbreaking footage in the middle of the night or in the early hours of the morning, trying to keep up with rapid developments and the tragedy...

Due to length this is merely an excerpt from their story which is on our website.

Please take the time to read and share the ongoing crisis faced by thousands of South African farmers.

©️LionExpose




28/06/2026

1050 ELEPHANTS 🇿🇦

Kwa-Zulu Natal

We were parked off watching around twenty Cape buffalo and a few Zebra when we saw a small herd of elephants moving in through the bush.

Elephants are boss of the bush and this Bull wasted no time clearing space and taking over the mud. Head swaying, ears flapping he came in with speed and dispersed the mighty Cape Buffalo like flies.

They all settled down and eventually shared the space.

Earlier this year Kwa-Zulu Natals regional park management company Ezemvelo submitted a bizarre proposal to remove 940 out of "1050 elephants" from our protected spaces.

Please check the report here on our page or website.

©️LionExpose







08/06/2026

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK 🇿🇦

UNDER PRESSURE

2026 floods recovery may cost Kruger R900 million

As we South Africans celebrate a century of the Kruger National Park, the reality on the ground is raw.

Kruger is facing one of the toughest tests in its history. In January 2026, devastating floods rampaged through the park, tearing up roads, smashing bridges, shutting down tourism facilities, and hammering critical infrastructure across 2.2 million hectares. As if that wasn’t enough, March brought more flooding to the central and northern regions, cutting off access to several camps.

The scale of the damage is staggering. Recovery costs are unofficially estimated at R900 million. Full restoration will require years of sustained effort.

But the story isn’t just about destruction. The floods left behind a layer of nutrient-rich silt, setting off a “green flush” of thick, high-quality grass. Suddenly, the plains are alive with thriving zebra, wildebeest, impala, and the predators that follow. Nature wasted no time adapting.

We caught up with John van Dyk, General Manager of Operations for the SANParks Honorary Rangers (SHR). The Honorary Rangers are one of Kruger’s most important secret weapons, working side by side with park management, they spot priority needs and channel donor funding into action. This is hands-on support, fast-tracked to where it matters most.

What the floods exposed was the ageing parts of Kruger’s infrastructure that were already under pressure and, in many cases, still undergoing repairs from the 2023 floods, which we saw firsthand. The ageing roads, bridges, and tourism camps were pushed beyond their limits, forcing SANParks to plan a large-scale, complete rebuild in several areas rather than routine maintenance repairs.

The SANParks Honorary Rangers Kruger Flood 2026 Fund has raised R3.9 million to date. Of that amount, R600,000 is being allocated directly to Project Watchdog, the K9 anti-poaching initiative. Project Watchdog has highly trained canines who work alongside field rangers, forming a vital part of Kruger’s frontline anti-poaching capability. Parts of this operational network were also affected. Kennels and essential field support systems sustained damage (attached video). One of the Project Watchdog kennel bases had just undergone renovations, and now it will need to be redone again. The Project Watchdog K9 unit depends on constant readiness and rapid deployment. These special canines and their handlers are top priorities, extremely well cared for, and fully operational.

How does SHR Kruger Flood 2026 Fund work? 100% of all public donations received through this specific fund are dedicated to flood response and infrastructure recovery work within Kruger National Park. The SHR absorbs all transaction, management, and internal operational overheads through their general, pre-existing volunteer budgets. No administrative cuts or "management fees" are extracted from the disaster fund.

Rather than handing over raw cash to external state departments, the SHR uses the funds to directly purchase, procure, or fund items explicitly listed on the Kruger National Park technical recovery wish list. To donate to this fund, visit the SANParks Honorary Rangers website, or go to this story on our website, where we have included the link.

The official state-backed initiative, managed directly by the South African National Parks (SANParks) in partnership with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), is the Kruger Recovery Fund. To donate to this fund, go to the official SANParks website.

Kruger is more than a world-famous wildlife destination. For so many of us, these camps are our second home. We grew up in them. Kruger National Park is the beating heart of the region and a major contributor to our overall national economy.

Kruger National Park needs unified crucial support now more than ever.

© LionExpose

SANParks Honorary Rangers continue to provide meaningful support to SANParks as custodians and stewards of our National Treasures!

We encourage you to read the first part of this ongoing series on the LionExpose website or scroll back on Facebook



03/06/2026

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

Two arrested in Mozambique for murder of two Kruger National Park tourists

June 3, 2026

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, has confirmed the arrest of two suspects in Mozambique in connection with the brutal murder of two South African tourists.

The bodies of Dina and Ernst Marais were discovered nearly two weeks ago near a river area in the northern section of the Kruger National Park after a search operation was launched when the couple failed to return to their camp.

The suspects reportedly confessed to the crimes, and the vehicle belonging to Mr and Mrs Marais has been recovered.

“South Africa will now start the formal extradition process to get the suspects to South Africa to stand trial for this heinous crime,” the Minister said on Wednesday.

Aucamp has called on law enforcement to ensure the suspects are brought back to the country to account for their crimes.

“I have engaged with my colleagues in the Departments of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and Justice to emphasise the importance of securing the suspects’ return to South Africa to face the full might of the law. We said that these criminals would be apprehended, and that is exactly what has happened,” he said.

Aucamp expressed his appreciation to the dedicated personnel at the South African National Parks (SANParks), South African Police Service (SAPS), Mozambican authorities, and conservation partners for their exceptional commitment and cooperation, which were instrumental in achieving this outcome.

The arrests are the result of effective cross-border cooperation between the following entities:

Serviço Nacional de Investigação Criminal (SERNIC), Mozambique’s agency responsible for investigating serious and organised crime;
The Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC); and
Kruger National Park Ranger Services, led by the Regional Ranger for the Nxanatseni (Far North) Region, together with rangers from the Pafuri Section.
The Minister reiterated that criminal activity will not be tolerated in South Africa’s national parks and called on communities and law enforcement agencies to continue working together to safeguard these protected areas.

“While the Marais family has suffered a devastating loss, I hope that these arrests will provide some measure of comfort to them as they continue to navigate this difficult journey,” Aucamp said.

SA Gov News ZA

moving media content
©️LionExpose





31/05/2026

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK 🇿🇦

Some of you read our story, "Kruger National Park Floods – The Aftermath".

We had parked under a tree to get a signal so we could catch up with SANParks Honorary Rangers General Manager of Operations, Mr. John Van Dyk, who took a brief break from Kruger.
We have spoken again with John and are busy writing an update which will be out this week.

As Kruger celebrates its centenary, it stands battered but strong.

We hope our fellow South Africans and foreign supporters will grasp the true scale of the flood damage and the crisis the flood left in its wake.

We encourage everyone to stand with the officials and volunteer organisations behind the scenes as they face the greatest challenges in the Park's history.

"This is the place my mom asked me to scatter her ashes, and the ashes she kept of my sister. I did it, with help from Kruger, into the wind over the mighty Letaba.
This park is my heritage. It holds my blood. I was also in Kruger for 14 days during the 2023 floods. Kruger staff, rangers, pilots, and all the volunteers worked 24/7. During respites the animals just lay wherever they could, exhausted. It was so sad, but the spirit of Ubuntu was amazing."

Going through our photos from Kruger during 2023 floods, a reminder that Kruger is to many of us, a second home, as South Africans, we are resilient.

We must stand stronger to ensure its survival.

©️LionExpose




21/05/2026

FOLLOWING THE BUSH TELEGRAPH 🇿🇦

Where we go, how we do it and why

The Good, the Bad, the Ugly.

We generally had a plan, but in reality, we just grab our bags, laptop and move out.

We use really basic equipment and travel light (We sometimes need to move fast). No fancy, bulky, expensive equipment, just an old, well-used Canon Powershot and a Y9 cellphone.

Our vehicles play the main role, blending into our environment is crucial.

We were provided with an adapted hunting vehicle for part of this road trip, which proved to be as tough and resilient as a tank.
We put it through its paces.

As we followed the Bush Telegraph, things changed, and we headed off to sniff things out. We often ended up on the side of the road, networking within our communities, looking for a spot to crash for the night. We bought our supplies at local markets and spaza shops.
There are also amazing chicken takeaways in most of these areas.

We headed to North Zululand, moving east along the borders of Eswatini and Mozambique, into the coastal bush.
We ended the trip by moving inland to skirt the spectacular mountains in the land of “Famo,” Lesotho.

In total we covered many kilometres, much of it off-road in bush and rugged terrain. Locals and adrenaline junkies will know the deep, sticky red mud and deceptive white sand.
We actually relied a lot on our compass. In the intense heat, the terrain became confusing and repetitive, our sense of direction was gone, baby, gone; signals got lost, and batteries overheated. We also spent many hours walking in humid temperatures between 32 and 38 degrees.

One of our team ended up with three black, infested tick bites, but, being literally immune to tick bite fever, only relented and saw a doctor when the bites were throbbing. Thanks to the amazing and totally eccentric Bush Doctor we found in Matubatuba, the team stayed on track with no delays.

The hospitality and community support left us more motivated than ever.

We will continue grassroots initiatives dedicated to uncovering powerful truths about conservation: the good, the bad, the ugly, as well as human rights abuse in the sector.

Our role is to amplify these issues, raise critical awareness, and shed light on the challenges the everyday heroes face working to protect our heritage.

What makes these trips so special is that sometimes, after hours of heat, exhaustion, or stress from our observations, we can find a spot and park off, just to breathe.

When we follow our instincts and find a herd of elephants, a crash of rhinos, or a troop of baboons in a place where no one else is around, that’s when we sit back, smile, and say...

This is why we do what we do.

It’s worth it.

©️LionExpose

20/05/2026

1050 ELEPHANTS 🇿🇦

Kwa-Zulu Natal

A quick look at one of two almost identical young calves.
We watched them for hours at Hluhluwe iMfolozi.

Kwa-Zulu Natals regional park management company Ezemvelo submitted a bizarre proposal to remove 940 out of "1050 elephants" from these protected spaces.

uNdlovu omkhulu is a chant inspired by our majestic elephants, the great giants of the land.

©️LionExpose





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