Following the escape of three lions seen roaming around Gluckstad in January and February, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park (HiP) manager, Mr Amos Tembe, addressed three Amakhosi, Izinduna and various other community representatives on Thursday. The aim of the meeting was to provide feedback on recent human/wildlife conflicts involving escaped animals.
The three Amakhosi who attended were Inkosi Mlaba of the Mlaba/kwaXimba area; Inkosi Zulu of Mandlakazi, Nongoma; and Inkosi Hlabisa of Matshamnyama in Hlabisa.
During the meeting, Tembe provided clarity on three recent incidents involving a buffalo, elephants and lions. He explained that the buffalo incident, which happened on or around February 6 in the Qunwane area near Hlabisa, resulted in one fatality and two injuries. It is alleged that the community attempted to hunt the buffalo, provoking it and causing it to attack an innocent passerby. The buffalo is believed to have escaped from a nearby private game reserve (HiP is approximately 40km from the scene, whereas private reserves are within a 5km radius). Despite this, Ezemvelo extended support to the bereaved family. “We had to intervene and support the family, even though we know the buffalo did not originate from our reserve. Ezemvelo has over 6000 buffalos within HiP and there has never been a reported attack. We appeal to communities to refrain from provoking escaped wildlife, as doing so endangers innocent lives,” Tembe stated.
In a separate incident on February 18, a head of approximately 50 elephants that had escaped from HiP were successfully returned, except for one which had to be killed due to gunshot wounds. They had escaped through a fence that was cut by illegal hunters inside HiP. Community members in attendance were concerned that human/wildlife conflicts will carry on if there are individuals who continue to cut fences and illegally hunt within HiP.
“We grew up knowing that those who bring disrepute to their communities are expelled. I appeal to Amakhosi to reinstate such disciplinary measures to deter those who cut fences and put lives at risk,” said Mr H Nkosi, one of the community representatives in attendance.
Tembe also provided an update on the widely reported lion incidents that caused distress in the Gluckstadt community. The lions were killed and an investigation is underway to determine their origin, as they were not branded.
The stakeholders proposed several collaborative solutions to mitigate human/wildlife conflict, including:

• Clearing vegetation along the fence perimeter to enhance visibility and prevent illegal fence-cutting;

• Increasing community conservation programmes, as well as visits to schools to educate children on wildlife safety.

• Erecting a cable fence capable of preventing elephant escapes.

• Painting the fence to improve visibility and discourage fence theft in HiP.

Another issue raised was the false reporting of livestock predation to claim compensation. Community members were urged to desist from this practice, as it constitutes a criminal offence and defeats the purpose of these compensation efforts by Ezemvelo.
Tembe welcomed the recommendations and assured the stakeholders that Ezemvelo would implement feasible solutions while engaging relevant authorities on matters requiring high-level decision-making.

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