A male lion was shot and killed in Melmoth, KwaZulu-Natal by a game ranger last night, 16 March, after it escaped, supposedly from the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve.
According to KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, an ‘intensive special search operation’ had been ongoing for several weeks since the lion escaped.
The lion had been terrorising the local community of KwaYanguye, attacking livestock. Residents were living in fear of the animal.
Dube-Ncube wanted to reassure traditional leaders and leaders the local communities that their safety and the protection of their livestock was her department’s major priority.
Dube-Ncube said in a statement that more detailed information will be released as she awaits an official report from Ezemvelo Wildlife around this shooting.
Source: IOL
Also read: Kruger lion shot after entering Berg en Dal camp
Image: Unsplash
