Amanda de Lange, councillor of the Freedom Front Plus in Mogale City, visited the Krugersdorp Game Reserve this morning, 30 December to inspect the claims of the lions being on the verge of starvation.

This according to frantic posts made on Facebook alerting the community to help with food donations for the ‘hungry’ lions.

Read here:

https://www.citizen.co.za/krugersdorp-news/371009/posts-starving-lions-allegedly-fake/

“I am in the game reserve and met the environment specialist from Mogale City as well as the ward councillor,” De Lange’s post on Facebook reads.

“The lions in the game reserve are well fed and in a good condition. The photos that are shared on Facebook showing skeletal lions are definitely not our lions.”

She said the fake photos caused quite a frenzy from concerned members of the public.

“Although a request was sent out for food in the form of dead animals, it is common practise to receive such from farmers alike who had casualties of animals where substances like poison is not involved. I’d like to caution the public to refrain from posting or sharing damaging photographs of any nature if it has not been verified by a reputable source.”

She concluded, “It is very sad that the local government let the game reserve facilities deteriorate and fall apart and become unusable. At this stage though, the animals are plenty and in good health.”

The FF Plus will keep monitoring the situation.

In the meantime, spokesperson for Mogale City, Nkosana Zali said he will revert the News’ request for comment to the council’s environment team for feedback.