At Ukutula, you can interact and walk with the lions. There is also overnight accommodation in the chalets at the game lodge. You can also do a morning or whole day excursion at Ukutula and interact with the lions.
To go on a day tour to walk with the lions contact Africabig5safaris and Tours
“Place of Quiet“ Walking with the lions
Known as the “place of quiet” the lodge is nestled in lush bushveld where the roar of the lion can be heard for miles around. Ukutula is conveniently situated within an hour’s drive from Johannesburg and Pretoria. The reserve comprises 260 hectares of unspoiled bushveld boasting a variety of wildlife species, including predator and antelope species, giraffe, zebra, and more. Ukutula is also home to more than 130 different bird species.
Our vision: Conservation through Sustainable Eco-Tourism, Research, and Education. Ukutula supports and applies the IUCN’s One-Plan-Approach (OPA) to Species Conservation and Animal Breeding Principals …
The Ukutula Conservation Center (UCC) is located within the Ukutula Private Game Reserve, conveniently situated within an hour’s drive from Johannesburg and Pretoria.
The game reserve comprises 260 hectares of unspoiled bushveld boasting a variety of antelope species, giraffes and zebra. Ukutula is also home to the various big cats and other predator species as well as more than 130 different bird species.
The UCC is a world-class research, conservation and wildlife/nature education facility, specializing in mammal research and predator conservation. The UCC also includes a Genetic Bio-Bank for endangered wildlife species.
All animal procedures at UCC are conducted with full veterinarian support and assistance, treating ALL animals with respect, dignity and compassion.
Research and conservation projects at the UCC are managed by the UCC and its research partners and associates on a highly sustainable basis to ensure the long-term conservation and scientific research contribution by the UCC
Current Research Projects at the UCC & Biobank
Since 2006, numerous professional mammal research studies have been conducted by various scientific research institutions and professionals at Ukutula Game Reserve.
Presently the Ukutula Conservation Center (UCC) & Biobank is hosting a number of research projects by various academic institutions and international researchers and post-graduate students,
including a long-term study on the endocrine/hormonal changes in the lioness and its influence on reproduction, a study on the effect of cub/wildlife interaction on human connection with wildlife and their relationships with nature, as well as various other projects on feline reproduction and cryopreservation of genetic material of endangered wildlife species.
UCC Research Results
At the Ukutula Conservation Center (UCC), research is conducted by scientists, veterinarians and zoologists from various research and academic institutions globally.
Research results are published in international scientific and subject journals and these results contribute tremendously toward various conservation challenges.
WORLD FIRST at Ukutula
A lioness at the Ukutula Private Game Reserve (ukutula.com), in the North West Province, South Africa, has given birth to two cubs conceived via non-surgical artificial insemination (AI), using fresh semen collected from an adult male lion at the same facility. These are the first-ever lion cubs to be born by means of artificial insemination – a world-first achievement.
Mr Willi Jacobs, owner of Ukutula and founder of the UCC & Biobank (ucc-biobank.org), and Dr Isabel Callealta, proudly confirmed the birth of the cubs on Saturday, 25th August 2018.
Sharing Research Knowledge at Ukutula
Dr Imke Lueders, renowned international veterinarian and feline reproductive specialist, hosted 2019 the first-ever international Feline Medicine & Reproduction Workshop at the Ukutula Conservation Center & Biobank, South Africa.
Dr Lueders has been involved with feline research at Ukutula for more than 10 years and is also one of the directors at the Ukutula Conservation Center & Biobank.
The Value of the Research at Ukutula
Ukutula owner & founder of the UCC & Biobank, Willi Jacobs, explains the VALUE of the Ukutula lion research conducted by scientists, veterinarians and zoologists from various research and academic institutions globally.
He also explains why lions are used as model species and how the research results contribute toward various conservation challenges involving other endangered species as well.
