File
Ezemvelo KZN wildlife says six lions that have been terrorising two communities near the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park and attacking livestock have been put down.
"Ezemvelo had to take two community members one from Nqulwane and another from OKhukho, and show them six carcasses of destroyed pride of lions that recently terrorized the local community and made them fear walking at night," says the group's Musa Mntambo.
Mntambo says they had to reassure the communities after residents held protests, with some cutting a fence and staging a sit-in inside the park.
It's understood the lions have killed at least six cattle and authorities say the number could rise as owners continue to take stock of their animals.
"They threatened to not only sit inside the reserve until the MEC resolved their issues but also to hunt and kill any lions they saw,” says Mntambo.
"They met the MEC Ravi Pillay on Tuesday and several resolutions were taken, including that the lions should be destroyed if they escape again as it was feared that they might soon attack people. Plans to repair the fence will be brought forward and local people should be employed."
(Source:ECR)
