ERMELO – The community are urged to exercise caution and refrain from sharing unverified information circulating on social media regarding a lion sighting between Ermelo and Breyten.

A photograph of a lion, accompanied by a message warning drivers of its presence “just before the pub” on the Ermelo-Breyten road, has been widely shared.

However, the same photo  were circulating on social media in 2024.

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Theo Craven from the South African Community Crime Watch (SACCW) shared an update on local emergency groups, stating that a search team investigated the alleged sighting location last night and found discrepancies with the photograph.

“Information coming through from the team that went out to search for the lion last night is that the photograph that was placed was not on the Breyten road. The grass is not as green as in the photograph,” Craven stated in the message.

The SACCW team urged the public to refrain from sharing misleading information.

To ensure accurate and verifiable reporting of any potential future wildlife sightings, the SACCW encourage the community to sent a pin drop on any sighting of the lion, with the current date and time.

“I am not allowing further placements on my groups without the criteria and will not contact the team if my criteria can not be met,” Craven concluded.

Highvelder spoke to Henry Geldenhuys, president of TLU SA, who said the spreading of false news are leading to a decrease in alertness.

“False information along with misleading photos will lead to residents not being alert and aware of the possible danger of a lion in the area, and might cause someone to get hurt,” Geldenhuys said.

He urged the community to report real sighting to the authorities but to not to share false news.

The spread of fake news can cause unnecessary panic and divert valuable resources.