Kruger Park Lions Still At Large

The four male lions that escaped from the Kruger National Park in South Africa on Sunday night are still missing.

According to Dr. Markus Hofmeyr, General Manager for SANParks’ Veterinary Wildlife Services, the lions have been spotted, but are currently in an area that is difficult for people to reach.

“The lions are currently believed to be in very rocky, mountainous and thickly wooded uninhabited areas south of the Crocodile gorge, and the MTPA [Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks agency] have very experienced staff dealing with the situation, and together with SANParks every effort will be made to locate and capture them,” Dr. Hofmeyr said.

The lions were seen wandering along the Crocodile River near Matsulu area earlier in the week.

“SANParks is working very closely with MTPA officials to secure the capture of the lions and our rangers, air wing and veterinarians are on immediate standby to provide any further support required by MTPA to capture the lions,” he said.

SANParks spokesperson, William Mabasa, said that the escape was not due to poor fencing around Kruger National Park, but that it is in the lions’ nature to attempt escape.

He also mentioned that the various rivers flowing into and out of the park often provide an opportunity for escape.

Dr. Hofmeyr said that the young male lions were probably driven out by population pressures.

The lion population in the park has grown exponentially. This has forced several young male lions to seek new territories to claim as their own within the park, sometimes leading them to wander beyond the park borders.

Residents in the Mpumalanga area have been asked to stay vigilant and report any sightings of the lions to SANParks as soon as possible.