One of the four lions that escaped from the Kruger National Park (KNP) was captured in Huntington, Bushbuckridge, yesterday.

According to Lowvelder, the captured male lion is being kept at one of the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency’s (MTPA) facilities.

According to MTPA spokesperson Simphiwe Shingube, the male was with a female lion when it was spotted, but she managed to escape in the direction of the KNP.

“Three lions are still at large. A joint operation with our Damage Causing Animals Unit and various stakeholders such as SANParks, Sabie Sands and other private game reserves are on the ground to track them down and ensure the safety of communities in the Bushbuckridge villages,” he says.

Shingube adds that the public is advised to inform the MTPA immediately should they spot the lions, and warns community members not to attempt to capture the animals themselves. He also thanks the public for their patience during this time and says more updates would follow.

The lions were first seen on Sunday along the tar road between Huntington Village and Elephant Point. They were spotted again near Malamule Village at about 07:30 on Wednesday.

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.