Earlier this month, three male lions were collared and released from their holding boma into the uMkhuze section of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
The lions, from the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, are genetically distinct from the pride of 16 lions residing in the park.
Andrew Zaloumis, iSimangaliso CEO, said the introduction of lions had boosted tourism arrivals to the uMkhuze section of the park.
The introduced lions have established a viable population after the last lion was shot by conservationists, 47 years ago. The first lion introductions took place in 2013 and 2014, with the first family of four lions, translocated from Tembe Elephant Park, released in December 2013, comprising an adult female and three sub-adult offspring. This was followed by the introduction of two males and three females in 2014.
Zaloumis said the rewilding of iSimangaliso through the introduction of species like lions, cheetah, wild dog, elephant and buffalo had resulted in more sustainable conservation and an economic turnaround.
