LIMPOPO – Residents in and around the Phalaborwa area can be rest assured that the lion that was spotted along the R71 on Wednesday morning (February 2), has been captured.

Videos yesterday circulated on social media of the lion that was reportedly spotted near Ngulube lodge.

Review spoke to Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET) spokesperson Zaid Kalla who confirmed that officials were immediately dispatched to the scene. “Our officers had the lion surrounded and it was circulating in one spot. They then successfully captured it,” he told Review.

https://reviewonline.co.za/240379/update-one-two-wild-lions-captured-georges-valley-area/

This is not the first time a lion has been spotted in the area. In 2019 a pride of 14 lions were sighted roaming around Phalaborwa Foskor Mine.

At the time Kalla said there have been many historical records of previous wildlife movements into the Phalaborwa surroundings. Ledet as a conservation authority has the mandate to timeously respond to such sightings, and to evaluate the risks.

The pride was returned to their usual pride location two days after.

https://reviewonline.co.za/306068/phalaborwa-lions-returned-pride-location-confirms-ledet/

Letaba Herald reports that the lion belongs to Abelana Game Reserve and has subsequently been darted and immobilised by veterinarian, Dr Rita Piso of Mangata Veterinarian Services, after being called in by the reserve and Ledet (Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism). According to Eugene Troskie of Phalaborwa Natural Heritage Foundation, the capture did not go as smooth as they have hoped.

“The situation was quite hazardous due to speeding motorists ignoring attempts by authorities on the scene to slow them down. “This threatened the lives of the people and even that of the lion. “The animal was eventually successfully darted, immobilised, checked for injuries and taken back to the reserve,” he said.

It is believed that he escaped after finding an opening under the fence of the game reserve which was possibly caused by water erosion. “The male was recently in conflict with two older males that entered the reserve from a neighbouring property. “This caused him to try and move away from the area, ” Troskie added.

The lion will be kept in a boma until the other two lions are moved back to their property. CEO of Abelana Game Reserve, Ian Beauchamp, assured the community at large that their reserve and fences are safe. He said that they do their best to maintain the fence and that the escape was due to the two older lions entering the territory of the younger male.