Lions loose in farming area

Estella Naicker and Tamlyn Jolly

Hunters are pursuing two lions spotted in the vicinity of a fuel station in Gluckstad, just outside Vryheid, in KwaZulu-Natal yesterday. Zululand cluster SA Police Service (Saps) communications officer Captain Nkosie Gwala said the lions were seen crossing the road at 5am by a truck driver.

“The matter is being dealt with by professional hunters with the correct permits,” Gwala said.

Mundus van Niekerk, a member of the Gluckstad farming community, is among those searching for the lions.

At about 9.30am, he informed the Vryheid Herald that the hunters had found what looked like lion spoor and were hopeful of finding the pair soon.

A Gluckstad farmer, who asked not to be named, said the lions had been in the area for two months.

In response to the lion sighting, community members began protesting, blocking the R618 to Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park’s Nyalazi Gate. They have since entered the park, according to Zululand Observer.

The community said they were protesting because the predators escape due to damaged fences and posed a danger to their livestock.

The protest is reportedly also related to Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife’s appointment of environmental monitors who are not from the area.

Visitors to the park were yesterday advised to use the Memorial Gate entrance as the protesters were only blocking the R618 to Nyalazi Gate entrance. However, early yesterday, Memorial Gate was also closed as the protesters obstructed the road leading to it. – Caxton News Service