Search for runaway lion hots up to night hunt
CUTTING-edge thermal imaging technology is being used to track a runaway Karoo lion as the search for the animal enters its 19th day.
Since Monday night, two expert trackers from Cape Nature had been using heat-sensing binoculars to try to track the lion at night, when it was presumed to be most active, Cape Nature spokesman Marietjie Engelbrecht said.
They joined a team of six tracking dogs and 15 trackers, including a state vet. The lion was last spotted in a dry river bed south of Fraserburg in the Northern Cape on Saturday, but could not be tranquillised as it was out of shooting range.
Dr Douw Grobler, of the Kruger National Park’s wildlife capturing unit, said the rugged Karoo terrain would make tracking difficult and a helicopter should be used to assist in the capture.
“Chances are good the lion is moving at night and hiding in thick bush during the day, making it difficult to spot. If they see it they should send in a helicopter and dart it from the air.”
Sylvester, the name given to the lion on social media, escaped through a hole in the fence at the Karoo National Park on June 5.
The three-year-old male has been wandering around the area east of the nature reserve, covering more than 100km.
It has killed 19 sheep and a kudu on surrounding farms.
Sheep farmer Guillau du Toit, who owns a farm north of Fraserburg, said he and other farmers in the area were helping in the search. “Yes, we’re afraid, but there are lots of specialists here to manage the situation.”