The year 2023 is known as the Year of the Rabbit on the Chinese calendar, but South Africans might best remember it as the year of escaped animals.

In the past two months, two tigers (Sheba from Walkerville and another that was reportedly seen in Bedfordview, east of Johannesburg), a lioness in the North West, wild dogs in Mpumalanga and crocodiles in Mpumalanga and Gauteng have already made headlines.

Now, in another event that would make people believe someone is playing Jumanji – or left the closet door to Narnia open – three buffaloes are on the loose in Kempton Park in Gauteng and another lion has been seen in Gauteng, close to the border with the North West.

Kempton Express reports that the local SPCA confirmed this morning that they are aware of the escaped wildlife.

The three large bovines were last seen on CCTV footage near the R25 between Serengeti and Eastlands on Sunday evening.

According to Benoni resident Alan Lopes, the animals were spotted close to 9th Road and residents have been cautioned not to approach them as they are dangerous.

Anyone with information can contact the Kempton SPCA on 011 028 3203, 011 75 6537, or their emergency number: 079 509 7859.

Another lion on the loose

Kormorant reports that investigations are underway after a lion was spotted near Broederstroom early this morning.

The publication states that a security response officer spotted the lion on the R511 close to the Hennops trail at 02:00.

“We are verifying the reports. The relevant conservation departments have been informed. Although it was spotted on the Gauteng side of the border, lions roam far and we are alerting North West residents to be on the lookout,” says Arthur Crewe of the Strategic Response Rescue Unit.

“We are actively looking for the animal and ask residents not to shoot or approach it. Contact us immediately if there are any sightings,” he adds.

Call: 083 703 7399.

A wild year

While it is common for hippos to be seen in St Lucia in northern KZN and even occasionally in the Mpumalanga Lowveld, eight hippos went missing from a private nature reserve in the Free State during the February floods. A giant crocodile, also said to be on the move as a result of flooding, was seen on a road in Matsulu outside Mbombela in February, but thankfully made its way back into the wild.

The escaped big cats had no such luck. After her January escape, Sheba had to be killed, while there are conflicting reports about the reported capture of the second tiger later that month – with a private security company claiming it had captured, sedated and transported the tiger and the SPCA requesting proof of this.

The lioness that escaped in February while in transit from one game farm to another was shot, reportedly by a farmer who was concerned about its proximity to residential areas.

Wild dogs escape

Two weeks ago, wild dogs escaped from the uBhetyan game farm in Mpumalanga after a game fence was cut. Owner Deon Cornelius confirmed to Middelburg Observer on Monday that they are still missing.

Any person who may have spotted the wild dogs should call Cornelius on 061 588 3714.