Six lions were put down after they killed at least six cows, with the number expected to rise, and leaving community members living in fear being attacked when they walk out at night in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
On Sunday, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife said it had taken two community members, Messrs Lucky Ngqulunga and Similo Khanyile from the Okhukho areas, who showed the organisation the whereabout of the six lions that were terrorising the community.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife said residents of Nqulwane and Okukho were living in fear and staged a sit in threatening that they would kill the lions themselves if they did not get assistance. The lions were killed on Friday said Musa Mntambo, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife spokesperson.
“The six lions had killed six cows before they were destroyed, and the figure of cows killed may rise as some community members still have to take stock of their cows.
Mntambo said: “Most of them have been living in fear for their lives recently, which made them even scared of venturing into areas they use as pastures for their livestock. The community’s anger was mounting as it was feared that the lions had lost the fear of human beings.”
According to Mntambo, several residents said they came into contact with the lions and instead of retreating like they usually do, the lions walked towards them forcing the local residents to retreat.
“The decision to destroy this pride of lions was taken following several community protests that resulted in a group of community members cutting the fence and staging a sit-in inside Hluhluwe Imfozolo Park,” said Mntambo.
They did not just threaten to stage a sit-in but also threatened to kill the all the lions they saw, Mntambo added.
Source: News24, IOL, Times Live, image from IOL: Supplied