Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, [email protected]
AUTHORITIES have tracked one of two stray lions believed to have escaped from South Africa’s Kruger National Park to the Mawale Mountains, on the outskirts of Beitbridge town, as efforts intensify to capture the predators.
The operation is being led by the Beitbridge Rural District Council in collaboration with Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) rangers and officers from the Bubye Valley Conservancy (BVC).
The lion was located through tracking technology and drone surveillance, and teams are now making frantic efforts to safely capture the wild cat.
The two lions, which are reportedly collared, are believed to have crossed into Zimbabwe from South Africa, prompting a joint tracking effort involving rangers from both countries.
Beitbridge RDC acting chief executive officer Mr Peter Ncube said teams were deployed after sightings were reported by rangers.
“This morning (yesterday), we received information from rangers in Gonarezhou who located the lion through a tracker. We then sent two teams on the ground comprising our wildlife management officers, ZimParks and BVC rangers,” said Mr Ncube.
He said the teams approached the area from the northern and southern directions and managed to positively identify one female lion.
“Unfortunately, the lion fled before it could be captured. However, it has now been located in the Mawale Mountains and efforts to capture it are underway. More information will be shared in due course,” said Mr Ncube.
He urged residents, particularly those in the eastern parts of Beitbridge, to exercise extreme caution while the operation continues.
“We are encouraging villagers to remain alert and immediately notify Beitbridge RDC offices, local ZimParks officials or community leaders if they spot the lions,” he said.
The lions are believed to have crossed into Zimbabwe through the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA), a vast conservation region that spans Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The GLTFCA covers more than 100 000 square kilometres, incorporating state national parks, private conservancies and community managed wildlife zones across the three countries.
Authorities say efforts remain focused on capturing the lions safely to protect both human life and wildlife.
