Lion sighting near KaNyamazane, Mpumalanga: School closed as search continues
Field teams are on high alert after a young lion was spotted near Krokodilpoort, as Frances Montessori Farm School halts classes to ensure student safety.
A young male lion spotted last night (May 5) near the Krokodilpoort Nature Reserve, has forced the immediate suspension of classes at a nearby farm school as authorities scramble to locate the animal, reports Lowvelder.
The predator was sighted at approximately 18:00, roughly 1.5km from the Frances Montessori Farm School. Given the proximity of the sighting, school management confirmed that all operations will remain halted today (May 6) as a precautionary measure.
KaNyamazane is situated roughly 25km from Mbombela.
Search operations underway
The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) confirmed that while no further sightings have been reported since last night, specialized field teams remain on high alert. These teams are equipped and ready to deploy the moment the animal’s location is verified.
Safety warning for residents
Authorities have urged residents and farm workers in the Krokodilpoort area to remain extremely vigilant. The risk is highest during the following times:
- Early morning hours
- Late evening/dusk
It remains unclear whether the lion escaped from a specific protected enclosure or is utilizing natural migratory corridors between reserves.
Report Sightings: Members of the public are advised not to approach the animal. Any sightings should be reported immediately to local authorities or the MTPA.
Lion activity reported in Pienaar in April
This is the second report of lion activity in the area in a month. On April 7, residents in Pienaar (about 7km away from KaNyamazane) reported hearing lions roar at night.
A resident posted a video of a partially eaten cattle carcass, with signs indicating it was killed by a large predator, warning people to be careful because there was a pride of lions roaming the area.
In December, a female lion was spotted near Ohrigstad. The sighting was confirmed by carnivore scientist Gerrie Camacho.
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