Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife has ‘destroyed’ a pride of lions after communities surrounding Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park staged a sit-in inside the park, threatening to hunt and kill the lions themselves if nothing was done.
This comes after the lions escaped the park; it is believed they have eaten six cows, and have local residents fearing for their lives.
Community members from Nqulwane and Okhukho in northern KwaZulu-Natal said lions had come into contact with people, and instead of running away, they had walked straight towards the people, forcing them to retreat.
Ravi Pillay, the MEC for economic development, tourism and environmental affairs, spoke to the communities and resolved to:
- Destroy the lions if they escaped again as it was feared they might soon attack people;
- Bring forward plans to repair the fence and employ local people when the repairs are made;
- Host a public participation workshop at the community hall to review compensation policies.
Following the meeting, however, Pillay echoed the residents’ safety concerns and decided to kill the pride. Two representatives of the communities were taken on a verification flight on Friday, 15 July to see the six carcasses.
Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife is the provincial organisation responsible for maintaining wildlife conservation areas and biodiversity.
Picture: Getaway Gallery
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