The KwaZulu Natal Portfolio Committee on Conservation and Environmental Affairs has commented that it has detailed plans to deal with the escaping wildlife at Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park.
Picture: Scott Ramsay/ Getaway Magazine
A pride of six lions were ‘destroyed’ earlier this year by Ezemvelo Wildlife after it was believed they had eaten six cows after escaping Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, and had locals fearing for their lives. This is one of a several other incidents, where just recently a rhino had escaped from Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park.
The rhino reportedly charged at and injured a woman while another resident shot at it. The communities surrounding Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park are fed up with the wild animals escaping, which has become a top priority for the KZN portfolio committee, who presented a detailed report on how they intend to deal with the ongoing issue.
Committee chairperson, Sthembiso Mshengu, commented that R9 million has been been reserved to repair the fence to better secure the park. ‘This money will only be to repair the fence where it is compromised. To erect a new smart fence will require about R40m. We currently do not have this amount, hence we shall repair the existing fence,’ he said.
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