Fear has gripped several villages in Mpumalanga, South Africa, following the escape of four lions from Kruger National Park. The big cats have been spotted in multiple communities, leaving a trail of livestock attacks and growing anxiety among residents.
The escape, first reported on Sunday, April 13, initiated a joint emergency response by the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) and Kruger National Park (KNP) officials. As of Thursday, April 17, only one lion has been successfully recaptured.
The alarm was raised after two male lions were seen on a tarred road between Huntington Village and Elephant Point on Sunday night. Local resident Reginald Zitha managed to photograph one of the lions after spotting them while driving.
By midweek, the number of escaped lions was confirmed to be four, with sightings reported in Belfast, Somerset, Lillydale, Justicia, and Malamule villages. On Thursday morning, residents of Malamule reported another sighting around 7:30 AM, intensifying concerns.
Two cows were reportedly killed in Huntington, with residents fearing for their safety. Xibutana Nkuna of Belfast said he discovered lion spoor near his home early Thursday, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
In response, the MTPA and KNP have deployed drones, tracking dogs, and a helicopter to locate and safely return the remaining lions to the park. According to MTPA spokesperson Simphiwe Shungube, one of the lions was recently spotted via drone, prompting further aerial surveillance.
“We have a team on the ground working tirelessly. Unfortunately, the rain during the day hampered tracking efforts, but we are committed to finding and returning the lions to the park,” Shungube stated.
He urged community members to avoid approaching the lions and to report sightings immediately.
The escape has highlighted ongoing challenges in lion conservation and human-wildlife conflict. According to African Impact, lions now occupy less than 8% of their historical range, with habitat loss and disease driving their decline. Diseases like feline herpes virus and feline immunodeficiency virus are among the top threats, putting the species at risk of extinction by 2050 without decisive action.
Kruger National Park, which spans over 7,500 square miles, is home to more than 2,000 lions, but such escape incidents are rare. However, this marks the latest in a series of escapes—including a female lion in July 2024 and a male lion in October 2024 in Mbombela—raising questions about boundary security as human settlements expand.
Authorities continue their search through the Easter weekend, urging residents in Bushbuckridge, Hazyview, and nearby areas to stay vigilant and report any sightings to the MTPA or KNP.
Emergency Contact for Lion Sightings:
Residents are advised to contact local park authorities immediately if they see any of the lions and not to attempt any form of confrontation.
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