Karoo Lion spotted kilometres away from where it escaped

SANParks spokesperson Fayroush Ludick said that late on Thursday evening two rangers were sent in with a device known as a “lion caller” which emulated the sounds of various animals in an attempt to lure the lion. 

 

 The trackers, of Shimane Safaris in Botswana, had followed the lion’s spoor into a mountainous area which was just 20km from the northern boundary of the park. 

The three-year-old male was at one stage spotted more than 100km from the park in the three weeks that it has been on the run. 

 

SANParks expressed its gratitude to the rangers of Shimane Safaris, who had initially planned to stay for only 2-3 days, but were only due to leave on Friday night, having spent almost a week in pursuit of the lion.

 

Once cornered, a specialist veterinarian will fly in via helicopter to dart the animal, after which it will be taken back to the Karoo National Park but will not rejoin its former pride, as it is believed the lion was forced out of its pride by older, more dominant males.

 

The lion escaped the park on Friday, June 5th, through a hole caused by flood damage of the perimeter fence of the park. -ANA

 

(File Photo: Gallo Images)