SANParks Issues Apology and Clarification Over Escaped Karoo Lion
Following petitions and an international outcry that an escaped lion from the Karoo National Park would face euthanasia, the South African National Parks (SANParks) has apologised for their earlier statement “which did not accurately reflect the organisation’s position” and clarified that all will be done to ensure the safe capture of the lion. This is the second time […]
Following petitions and an international outcry that an escaped lion from the Karoo National Park would face euthanasia, the South African National Parks (SANParks) has apologised for their earlier statement “which did not accurately reflect the organisation’s position” and clarified that all will be done to ensure the safe capture of the lion.
This is the second time that the lion, which is known as Sylvester, has escaped. After a three-week walk-about last year he was finally found and helicoptered back to the Karoo Park… from which he has again escaped.
After today’s earlier statement, petitions were set up on Change and Avaaz calling for the safe capture of the lion and claiming authorities were going to “hunt it down and kill it”. The social media campaigns swept across the world, with one resident in the USA reporting from California that “today there was a long piece on our National Public Radio station about Sylvester the lion. The focus of the piece was how a Facebook and Twitter storm, and several petitions have convinced SANParks authorities to spare Sylvester for now! Bottom line is that this has now gained worldwide attention!”
SANParks’ latest statement, in full, reads as follows:
South African National Parks (SANParks) wishes to reassure members of the public that measures are in place to safely capture the lion that escaped from the Karoo National Park earlier this week.
A statement was released prematurely on Tuesday, 29 March 2016 and SANParks apologises to the public for the incorrect statement, which did not accurately reflect the organisation’s position.
However, SANParks would like to make it known to the public that we are dealing with a fluid and ever-changing situation involving an animal that has previously escaped from the Park.
In 2015 the three year old male lion escaped through a hole in the fence, after heavy rain in the area. According to reports received by SANParks this time the animal escaped by crawling under an electric fence after heavy rains in the area once again.
Following its previous escape, the animal was fitted with a tracking collar.
A 14-person tracking team, bolstered by aerial support has been searching for the escaped animal in the Beaufort West area since Monday when the escape was discovered.
“We are facing a number of challenges hampering the search at present..due to the difficult terrain and extremely windy conditions an aerial search had to be abandoned yesterday. For operational reasons we are also unable to conduct the aerial search today,” says SANParks.
The organization is considering a number of measures to deal with the lion once it is captured in line with SANPARKS protocols for the management of problem animals.
Unfortunately due to the history of this particular animal with escape, as well as causing damage, it is now considered a problem animal.
During its previous escape the lion killed 28 sheep, a Nguni cow and a kudu, and according to reports received by SANParks a cow on a privately-owned farm has already been killed this time. The search for the animal during its previous escape cost R800,000.
The following are amongst a suite of options SANParks is considering:
- Bringing the lion back to the park and looking at improving on fencing and other preventative measures
- Translocating the lion to another national park
- Donating the lion to another state owned conservation entity
- Donating the lion to a private conservation entity
- Euthanizing the lion if the damage caused to assets is significant and if the animal poses a danger to humans. If the animal kills a person it poses an even greater danger as it may lose fear for humans and see them as easy prey.
“In considering these measures we should be aware of the reality that such an animal can pose a very real danger to human life. Our actions in this regard are in line with international norms and standards,” added SANParks.
SANParks notes concerns by members of the public regarding the fate of the animal, nicknamed Sylvester by locals.
“We are aware that some members of the public have been alarmed by reports that the animal will be euthanized, but no decision can be taken until the animal is safely captured” says SANParks.
We want to reassure the public that any decision to be taken by the management of SANParks on the escaped animal will be in line with relevant practices, policies and legislation.
SANParks is confident that the animal will be captured safely soon.
The lion is currently roaming a remote mountainous area and it is hoped that it will not encounter humans.
SANParks acknowledges that in areas with abundant livestock there is a strong possibility of human activity in the vacinity.
People in the area are asked to exercise extreme caution. SANParks further reiterates that members of the public should not approach the animal.
SANParks also thanks the numerous South Africans who have stepped up to the podium offering various solutions and alternatives, as well as messages of concern regarding the escaped animal. We will keep the public regularly updated on the progress of the search.