South African provincial wildlife authorities in KwaZulu-Natal have killed a pride of six lions said to have escaped a game reserve and killed livestock in neighbouring areas.
It came after residents protested and threatened to hunt and kill them if no action was taken. They reportedly cut the Hluhluwe Game Reserve’s fence and staged a sit-in.
The lions are believed to have eaten at least six cows and left the locals living in fear.
Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife’s spokesperson, Musa Mntambo, was quoted by the state broadcaster SABC as saying that “the community’s anger was rising as it was feared that the lions had lost fear of human beings”.
Residents believe that more of the big cats may still be on the prowl as it is not known how many lions escaped from the game reserve, local media reported.
