One of the KNP escaped lions killed
The Mpumalanga
Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) has confirmed that a second lion, which was
part of the four that escaped from Kruger National Park last week, was
euthanized on Sunday morning.
The escape occurred last Sunday when four lions broke free from the park, prompting an extensive search operation.
According to reports, the lions allegedly killed two cows in the Huntington area.
“After careful consideration of the damage caused by the lions on cattle belonging to the community and the difficulty in operating in the dense bush to drive them back into the park, the decision was made to euthanize them,” said MTPA’s spokesperson Siphiwe Shungube.
The MTPA stated that the decision to euthanize the second lion followed a weeklong joint operation involving SANParks and other stakeholders.
“The teams tracked the lion across challenging terrain in a coordinated effort to prevent danger to local communities and wildlife,” added Shungube.
Officials emphasized the need for public safety while managing the risks posed by apex predators roaming outside their natural habitat.
On Friday, one of the lions had already been safely captured and is now being held at a secure facility for further management.
While no lions remain at large, the MTPA says it will continue to monitor the situation closely.
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