Cape Town – KwaZulu-Natal’s Hluhluwe residents are living in fear for their lives and loss of livestock after lions were reportedly spotted in the vicinity and a cow carcass was found.
The lions were reportedly seen near the Intibane Lodge in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife spokesperson, Musa Mntambo confirmed the development.
“Two weeks back we caught two lions that escaped from the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, those lions were found and destroyed. However, when we went to investigate this incident, we did not find any but we found a cow that was eaten, which means there might still be a lion on the loose. I can’t confirm if it’s one or more,” he told African Insider.
He warned residents to remain on high alert until capture has been confirmed.
ALSO READ | Six lions put down after escaping from South African game reserve and terrorising community
Meanwhile, IOL reported that the search will resume on Wednesday, August 24.
“Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park chopper was activated and a search was conducted however, the lions were not found. Only tracks were found inside Intibane and the Sweet Home Bush Camp near Ulundi. A cow was found. The meat is still fresh and according to experts, it looks like it was bitten during the night or early in the morning,” the report quoted Mayor Wilson Ntshangase as saying.
Ntshangase said that they are hopeful that Ezemvelo and the police will contain the situation, as wild animals roaming closer to the town had become a common occurrence.
Earlier this month a woman was reportedly injured by one a rhino that had escaped from the park while in July six lions also escaped.
The rhinos were recaptured while the lions had to be put down as they no longer feared people.
According to DA spokesperson for the provincial Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Heinz de Boer, the entire Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park western boundary fence was in extremely poor condition, with some 20km completely unfenced, reported IOL.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Pexels
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
