A special, exciting experiment turned into a great success: Madikwe has raised the first herbivorous lion, called "Herbie". Herbie has been released into the reserve a few days ago. A delight for the antelopes and zebras, but also for Rhulani's visitors.

A very high lion population is an attractive sales element for a game reserve and attracts many tourists. On the other hand, it is no secret that to the Park Administration, too many lions also mean an enormous cost factor. "A lion pride eats on average every three days a full-blown antelope such as wildebeest, or a zebra," tells Carlien Esterhuizen, Field Ecologist in Madikwe. "If we have too many lions, they eat our antelope away faster than they could reproduce themselves in a natural way." The result is obvious: Madikwe must constantly purchase new general game in order to ensure enough food for the lions. A very expensive affair.

Through a top secret project run over the last years, Madikwe has now found a fantastic way out of the dilemma. "We have raised a young male lion Herbie in a hidden boma and we have nourished him purely vegetarian, with the hope that after their release into the reserve, he will leave our antelopes in peace, and only eat plants, like the elephants or giraffes", says Carlien. "Rhulani was involved in Project Herbie from beginning", says Rhulani's owner Rolf. During the last 2 years, Rhulani has delivered to the project salads and vegetables. "Herbie had a 5-star menu just like Rhulani's guests", says Rolf.

The experiment is a complete success. Herbie has already settled well in the reserve and no animal has been killed by him so far. "He just wanders around in the savannah, and enjoys the blades of grass and leaves, while the kudus, zebras and impalas watch him critically", says Carlien.This is of course a world sensation for conservationist and biologists and for wildlife lovers another reason to get to Madikwe and shoot a picture of the first vegetarian lion. Rhulani’s owner Rolf says: “This comes at a very good time for us, in light of the soon to be released female cheetah, where lions are also one of the biggest dangers”.

If you wish to visit Madikwe and see the first vegetarian lions, please call our reservation office (reservations@rhulani.com).