Lions going for their third week in Marloth Park
Several teams have been at work around the clock for more than two weeks now, in an attempt to relocate some escaped lions back into to the Kruger National Park.
On December 8, the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency’s (MTPA) carnivore specialist, Gerrie Camacho, explained that he suspected the lions had crossed over into Marloth before the flooding on December 7. He estimated there to be five lions who have split into different groups.
Since then, various teams of the MTPA and CPF have attempted multiple methods to capture these lions, but to no avail.
Camacho said the teams had had another attempt on Monday night. They had laid out some bait in the hope of luring the cats out, with no results yet.
“There are many variables at play. They move from place to place often, but this is normal for young animals seeking to relocate in a new area. It just makes it difficult to follow, because they do not have any kind of a pattern at this stage.
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“The nature of Marloth Park’s dense vegetation coupled with the residents who live there, does not make the situation any easier, but the team will persevere.”
Camacho said on a previous occasion there was no question as to whether the lions could remain or not. The simply have to be moved back to the Kruger; it is in their own and the Marloth residents’ best interests that this happens sooner rather than later.
The residents have been warned not to walk, cycle, jog or hike, as the lions could be active anywhere. They should also refrain from playing lion sounds.
Should you spot them, phone the rangers on 082 802 5894, the CPF chair, Nadine Edgecomb, on 082 672 4545, Camacho on 082 353 9097, Ernst Röhm of the MTPA on 083 626 6309 or April Lukhele on 082 807 1057.
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