SANParks: Sylvester's fate not decided yet
SANPark's head of corporate communications, Wanda Mkutshulwa told JacarandaFM's Complimentary Breakfast on Wednesday morning that they are considering various options regarding the fate of Sylvester the lion.
The lion escaped Karoo National Park for a second time since last year.
"We have a basket of solutions depending on what we find. The lion might have killed livestock - even a person," she told Complimentary Breakfast host Rian van Heerden.
Mkutshulwa said they are considering four options including relocating the animal as well as the possibility of donating it to a private institution.
She also cautioned that euthanasia is a reality depending on where they find Sylvester, as well as the damage that lion might have cause.
"We can bring Sylvester back into the park or relocate him to another park. But no final decision on the animal's fate has been taken as of yet," Mkutshulwa added.
Twitter was abuzz on Wednesday morning with people tweeting their anger and frustration at SANPark's tweet that they are going to put the animal down.
#SaveSylvester started trending shortly after it was reported that euthanasia is the only option.
Mkutshulwa assured listeners of the Complimentary Breakfast that they are looking at all their options and that euthanasia is their last resort.
Sylvester escaped from the Karoo National Park during die Easter weekend and according to park officials this is not the first time.
The animal went on a 24 day walk-about last year - killing the livestock of neighbouring communities.