MBOMBELA, July 11 (ANA) – Wildlife authorities are still searching for the four male lions which wandered from the Kruger National Park on Sunday night.
In a statement on Tuesday, South African National Parks (SANParks) said that together with the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), officials had made every effort on Monday and overnight to lure and catch the four lions that were first sighted wandering near the N4/Crocodile River gorge area which is managed by MTPA.
“Since the first light, all efforts are and will continue to be made by MTPA officials, with the support of SANParks, to locate either the lions themselves or any recent sign of their presence so that a joint operation to capture the lions can be launched,” said SANParks General Manager for Veterinary Wildlife Services, Dr Markus Hofmeyr.
Hofmeyr indicated that the Lions were currently believed to be in “very rocky, mountainous and thickly wooded uninhabited areas south of the Crocodile gorge”, and the MTPA had very experienced staff dealing with the situation, and together with SANParks every effort would be made to locate and capture them.
“SANParks is working very closely with MTPA officials to secure the capture of the lions and our rangers, air wing and veterinarians are on immediate standby to provide any further support required by MTPA to capture the lions.”
He said it was important to note that the lion population had grown exponentially and was an attributing factor to young males looking to own new territories within the Park. “This is as a result of naturally occurring factors like drought which we have seen in the last two years, allowing for an abundance of animals for predators like lions to feed on, and an increase in their population.
“The fence is surrounding the Park and is largely a disease control intervention managed by the National Department of Agriculture and serves primarily to keep wild animals from getting into contact with livestock. It is unlikely that the four lions that have been spotted in the Matsulu area are the same as the lions that escaped two months ago in the Komatipoort area.”
SANParks warned that the lions should be treated as dangerous and should not be approached or interfered with in any way or for any reason. Anyone who spotted the lions or any sign of their presence was asked to immediately contact MTPA officials at 083 626 6792, SANParks on 076 801 9679 or 013 735 0197/4064 or SAPS on 080010111.
– African News Agency (ANA)
