Solio: the hottest male in meru
SOLIO, THE HOTTEST MALE IN MERU
Born Free Kenya’s Meru Conservation Area Research Officer, Simiyu Newton, reports on the antics of Meru National Park’s newest lion
Calm, reserved and shy, but also fearsome and vivacious. Solio the lion is slippery and rarely gives anyone a glance. At the sound of an approaching vehicle, he will dash and hide in the dense thickets. Except when its lionesses for whom he has turned on the charm offensive since his arrival in Meru National Park three months ago.
Solio, a sub-adult male, was originally from Solio Ranch in Laikipia County, central Kenya, but was moved into Meru after he ventured out of the ranch and into people’s homes. He was fitted with a collar before release and Born Free, together with Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), have been monitoring him.
Released at Mugunga Campsite about 30km from the Park’s headquarters, Solio started roaming Meru in search of a new territory. He initially moved west where he mingled with two females from the Sanctuary Pride (one of the prides Born Free Kenya monitors in Meru) for a day and then moved on. High numbers of lions in the area then pushed him south. He continued down to the south west towards one of the KWS security camps. We pitched our tents at the camp. At night, he would roar and three or four lions would respond.
Solio has settled in this area for a while now. He roams an area of about 100km2. He covers Kindani and Punguru Plains, the same area the Born Free team has been removing more than 2,000 wire snares used for indiscriminate poaching of wildlife in the last three years. His preferred water drinking spots are along River Rojawero and, at times, Kiolu River. He extends his area towards Elsa’s Kopje down towards George’s Pool and to the south, a few kilometres from the Ura Gate.
Solio interacts with Elsa’s Pride (another pride monitored by Born Free Kenya in Meru). He seems more at peace with this pride but occasionally goes back to Kindani and Punguru Plains to check on one of the females from the Sanctuary Pride – it looks like he has charmed one of them!
His new home range is of great concern as it’s an area known for snaring and he is at risk, particularly along Kiolu River. With low prey competition from other carnivores, moderate availability of prey and possible threats of snares, is his new territory safe? Only time will tell as we continue to track him and other prides in Meru.
